That’s right. Christmas horror. It’s a real thing. And Blumhouse and editor Christopher Golden have put together a collection of short fiction just in time to fill you with holiday fear.

Join us as Tod, Rider, and Julia have fun with this bonkers set of stories.

]]>It’s the holidays! A time to deck the halls, grab some eggnog, and curl up with the SCARIEST book you can find… That’s right. Christmas horror. It’s a real thing. And Blumhouse and editor Christopher Golden have put together a collection of short ficti...Literary DiscoyesEpisode 132: Vulture’s 100 Best Books of the 21st Centuryhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/11/05/episode-132-vultures-100-best-books-of-the-21st-century/
Mon, 05 Nov 2018 22:34:06 +0000https://www.literarydisco.com/?p=1002https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/11/05/episode-132-vultures-100-best-books-of-the-21st-century/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/11/05/episode-132-vultures-100-best-books-of-the-21st-century/feed/0A couple months ago, Vulture published this crazy, crazy list. It’s an admittedly premature attempt to create a literary canon for the last 18 years. In this episode of Literary Disco, we discuss the titles we were surprised by, the ones we were disappointed didn’t make it, and — mostly — how few of these […]A couple months ago, Vulture published this crazy, crazy list.

It’s an admittedly premature attempt to create a literary canon for the last 18 years.

In this episode of Literary Disco, we discuss the titles we were surprised by, the ones we were disappointed didn’t make it, and — mostly — how few of these books we’ve actually read.

Get ready to feel like you have a lot of catching up to do…

]]>A couple months ago, Vulture published this crazy, crazy list. It’s an admittedly premature attempt to create a literary canon for the last 18 years. In this episode of Literary Disco, we discuss the titles we were surprised by,Literary Discoyes48:05:00Episode 131: Fall Revisithttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/10/23/episode-131-fall-revisit/
Tue, 23 Oct 2018 17:35:51 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=981https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/10/23/episode-131-fall-revisit/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/10/23/episode-131-fall-revisit/feed/0It’s getting cooler, the leaves are changing, time to curl up with a good book. It’s our Bookshelf Revisit for Fall 2018, an eclectic conversation that covers: Wild children and cults. WWII and China. Robertson Davies. It makes no sense, except that it’s Literary Disco!It’s getting cooler, the leaves are changing, time to curl up with a good book.

]]>It’s getting cooler, the leaves are changing, time to curl up with a good book. It’s our Bookshelf Revisit for Fall 2018, an eclectic conversation that covers: Wild children and cults. WWII and China. Robertson Davies. It makes no sense,Literary Discoyes37:23Episode 130: Fear & Loathing in Las Vegashttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/09/25/episode-130-fear-loathing-in-las-vegas/
Tue, 25 Sep 2018 21:00:32 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=976https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/09/25/episode-130-fear-loathing-in-las-vegas/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/09/25/episode-130-fear-loathing-in-las-vegas/feed/0Hunter S. Thompson became a legend the moment he published this novel of a drug-fueled trip into the desert. Packed with mind-altering chemicals, extreme paranoia, and claiming to be a scathing journey to “the heart of the American Dream,” Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas established Thompson’s particular style, and purported to give voice to […]Hunter S. Thompson became a legend the moment he published this novel of a drug-fueled trip into the desert. Packed with mind-altering chemicals, extreme paranoia, and claiming to be a scathing journey to “the heart of the American Dream,” Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas established Thompson’s particular style, and purported to give voice to the disillusionment of a generation.

But who was included in that generation?

Has the book aged well?

And what kind of effect did this story have on the city of Las Vegas itself?

We explore these questions and more. Buckle up. This is bat country.

]]>Hunter S. Thompson became a legend the moment he published this novel of a drug-fueled trip into the desert. Packed with mind-altering chemicals, extreme paranoia, and claiming to be a scathing journey to “the heart of the American Dream,Literary Discoyes48:51Episode 129: Lord of the Flieshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/08/13/episode-129-lord-of-the-flies/
Mon, 13 Aug 2018 16:35:47 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=945https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/08/13/episode-129-lord-of-the-flies/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/08/13/episode-129-lord-of-the-flies/feed/1You read it in high school. You remember the conch, Piggy, and a boar head on a stick… But do you remember the Beast? That a child disappears the first day on the island? How about the fact that this novel is set during an atomic war? And did you know this book was written in […]You read it in high school.

You remember the conch, Piggy, and a boar head on a stick…

But do you remember the Beast? That a child disappears the first day on the island? How about the fact that this novel is set during an atomic war?

And did you know this book was written in direct response to a 19th Century children’s book that had the same character names?

It’s time for us all to re-read William Golding’s classic, Lord of the Flies. Join us.

]]>You read it in high school. You remember the conch, Piggy, and a boar head on a stick… But do you remember the Beast? That a child disappears the first day on the island? How about the fact that this novel is set during an atomic war?Literary Discoyes54:05Episode 128: Gregory Pardlo’s Digesthttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/07/23/episode-128-gregory-pardlos-digest/
Mon, 23 Jul 2018 18:06:03 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=940https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/07/23/episode-128-gregory-pardlos-digest/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/07/23/episode-128-gregory-pardlos-digest/feed/0Today we dive deep into a single poetry collection: Digest, by Gregory Pardlo. Digest won the 2015 Pulitzer, and with good reason. This is one of the most universally loved books we’ve had on the show. It’s incredibly personal, and yet it has enough intertextuality and historical references to keep you re-reading for days. Between […]Today we dive deep into a single poetry collection: Digest, by Gregory Pardlo.

Digest won the 2015 Pulitzer, and with good reason. This is one of the most universally loved books we’ve had on the show. It’s incredibly personal, and yet it has enough intertextuality and historical references to keep you re-reading for days.

Between bouts of effusive praise, we manage to read and analyze a couple of these magnificent poems.

]]>Today we dive deep into a single poetry collection: Digest, by Gregory Pardlo. Digest won the 2015 Pulitzer, and with good reason. This is one of the most universally loved books we’ve had on the show. It’s incredibly personal,Literary Discoyes44:38Episode 127: Killers of the Flower Moonhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/06/26/episode-127-killers-of-the-flower-moon/
Tue, 26 Jun 2018 19:49:18 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=931https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/06/26/episode-127-killers-of-the-flower-moon/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/06/26/episode-127-killers-of-the-flower-moon/feed/0In the 1920s, a disproportionate amount of people within the Osage nation were dying. The US government had forcibly relocated the Osage to a section of Oklahoma with some of the largest deposits of oil in North America. This quickly made the Osage the wealthiest people, per capita, in the world. And now they were […]In the 1920s, a disproportionate amount of people within the Osage nation were dying.

The US government had forcibly relocated the Osage to a section of Oklahoma with some of the largest deposits of oil in North America. This quickly made the Osage the wealthiest people, per capita, in the world.

And now they were being murdered. Corrupt local “lawmen” were incapable of producing any suspects, and any time a person claimed to have information, they wound up dead.

It was up to the Federal government, with its newly formed Bureau of Investigation, to step in and try to solve the mystery.

Journalist David Grann has produced the definitive account of this remarkable true story in Killers of The Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI.

As we quickly discovered here at the Disco, there’s something in this book for everyone. If you love history, crime stories, Westerns, family sagas, stories of social justice, courtroom dramas, or just downright good writing: this book is for you.

So, uh, you should read it.

]]>In the 1920s, a disproportionate amount of people within the Osage nation were dying. The US government had forcibly relocated the Osage to a section of Oklahoma with some of the largest deposits of oil in North America.Literary Discoyes41:50Episode 123: Cat Personhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/06/05/episode-123-cat-person/
Tue, 05 Jun 2018 01:12:05 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=928https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/06/05/episode-123-cat-person/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/06/05/episode-123-cat-person/feed/1(Are we time traveling? Yes, a technical glitch set this episode back a few months…) Kristen Roupenian’s short story “Cat Person” appeared in December 2017 issue of The New Yorker, and promptly became an internet sensation. Some critics pounced, some critics praised, some men were offended, some women were offended that men were offended…and on and […](Are we time traveling? Yes, a technical glitch set this episode back a few months…)

Kristen Roupenian’s short story “Cat Person” appeared in December 2017 issue of The New Yorker, and promptly became an internet sensation.

Some critics pounced, some critics praised, some men were offended, some women were offended that men were offended…and on and on it went, as these things do in this day and age.

It seems there is something about this story — something about its point of view and its depiction of gender relations — that struck a nerve in the midst of #MeToo.

We decided to read and discuss the story in addition to some older, and truly great, short story comps that work with similar themes. So if you read and loved (or hey, even if you read and hated) Cat Story, these are for you.

]]>(Are we time traveling? Yes, a technical glitch set this episode back a few months…) Kristen Roupenian’s short story “Cat Person” appeared in December 2017 issue of The New Yorker, and promptly became an internet sensation. Some critics pounced,Literary Discoyes1:04:41Episode 126: Columbine, Part 2https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/05/21/episode-126-columbine-part-2/
Mon, 21 May 2018 18:11:22 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=923https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/05/21/episode-126-columbine-part-2/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/05/21/episode-126-columbine-part-2/feed/1We didn’t mean for these episodes to be “timely,” but these days in America, that seems unavoidable. Between posting our two-parter about Dave Cullen’s Columbine, there has been another school shooting at Sante Fe High School in Texas. Our hearts are breaking, again. We can only hope to contribute to the conversation and help move […]We didn’t mean for these episodes to be “timely,” but these days in America, that seems unavoidable.

Between posting our two-parter about Dave Cullen’s Columbine, there has been another school shooting at Sante Fe High School in Texas. Our hearts are breaking, again.

We can only hope to contribute to the conversation and help move our country away from this insanity.

Join us for Part Two of our discussion on Columbine. We talk with Rob Bowman, the incredible English teacher who brought us the students from Part One.

]]>We didn’t mean for these episodes to be “timely,” but these days in America, that seems unavoidable. Between posting our two-parter about Dave Cullen’s Columbine, there has been another school shooting at Sante Fe High School in Texas.Literary Discoyes39:17Episode 125: Columbine, Part 1https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/05/14/episode-125-columbine-part-1/
Mon, 14 May 2018 19:27:56 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=919https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/05/14/episode-125-columbine-part-1/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/05/14/episode-125-columbine-part-1/feed/0Dave Cullen’s book Columbine is an exhaustive and brilliant examination of the infamous school shooting that stunned the country in 1999. It is also one of the first books that Tod, Julia, and Rider discussed as friends. Bonding over our love for Cullen’s work is one of the reasons Literary Disco exists. In light of the […]Dave Cullen’s book Columbine is an exhaustive and brilliant examination of the infamous school shooting that stunned the country in 1999.

It is also one of the first books that Tod, Julia, and Rider discussed as friends. Bonding over our love for Cullen’s work is one of the reasons Literary Disco exists.

In light of the fact that school shootings have only become more common, we decided to do something different with the next two episodes of the podcast.

Tod reached out to his friend Rob Bowman, a high school English teacher, and asked if he had any students who might want to read Columbine.

This episode, Part 1, is our discussion with the the three remarkable teenagers Rob assembled. Aiden, Renaissance, and Jada were kind enough to read Cullen’s book and come on our show to share their thoughts.

Part 2 will be the follow up conversation that we had with Bowman.

Guns. High School. Books. Get ready…

]]>Dave Cullen’s book Columbine is an exhaustive and brilliant examination of the infamous school shooting that stunned the country in 1999. It is also one of the first books that Tod, Julia, and Rider discussed as friends.Literary Discoyes1:12:20Episode 124: Bookshelf Revisit Summer 2018https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/04/30/episode-124-bookshelf-revisit-summer-2018/
Mon, 30 Apr 2018 16:08:44 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=916https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/04/30/episode-124-bookshelf-revisit-summer-2018/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/04/30/episode-124-bookshelf-revisit-summer-2018/feed/2I know, it’s a bit confusing, but some tech issues with Episode 123 means we’re skipping it for now. Instead, we zoom to the future! It’s a Bookshelf Revisit episode with a game — a new game Tod is insisting we call “Rock, Paper, Scissors.” As if there isn’t already a game called that. But first, […]I know, it’s a bit confusing, but some tech issues with Episode 123 means we’re skipping it for now.

Instead, we zoom to the future! It’s a Bookshelf Revisit episode with a game — a new game Tod is insisting we call “Rock, Paper, Scissors.” As if there isn’t already a game called that.

But first, we get to hear all about Julia and Tod getting catfished, what children’s book Julia has rediscovered, Rider’s descent into the Empire of Illusion, and Tod’s recent interview with a very successful novelist who also happens to be his brother.

]]>I know, it’s a bit confusing, but some tech issues with Episode 123 means we’re skipping it for now. Instead, we zoom to the future! It’s a Bookshelf Revisit episode with a game — a new game Tod is insisting we call “Rock, Paper, Scissors.Literary Discoyes50:45Episode 122: The Idiothttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/03/19/episode-122-the-idiot/
Mon, 19 Mar 2018 16:08:18 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=910https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/03/19/episode-122-the-idiot/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/03/19/episode-122-the-idiot/feed/0Elif Batuman’s novel was a critical darling of 2017. We try to figure out why.Elif Batuman’s novel was a critical darling of 2017.

We try to figure out why.

]]>Elif Batuman’s novel was a critical darling of 2017. We try to figure out why.Literary Discoyes36:47Episode 121: A Spell for Chameleonhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/03/07/episode-121-a-spell-for-chameleon/
Wed, 07 Mar 2018 10:38:52 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=905https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/03/07/episode-121-a-spell-for-chameleon/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/03/07/episode-121-a-spell-for-chameleon/feed/4Our fantasy and sci-fi correspondent Will Friedle returns! And he’s picked a doozy for us to read. Piers Anthony has written dozens of hugely popular fantasy novels, and many of them are set in the magical, pun-filled land of Xanth. Will asked us to read A Spell for Chameleon, the novel that began it all. And […]Our fantasy and sci-fi correspondent Will Friedle returns! And he’s picked a doozy for us to read.

Piers Anthony has written dozens of hugely popular fantasy novels, and many of them are set in the magical, pun-filled land of Xanth. Will asked us to read A Spell for Chameleon, the novel that began it all.

And boy, has it not aged well…

We thought Sweet Valley High was rapey. There’s literally a rape trial in the first 30 pages of this book, which seems aimed squarely at 12 year old boys.

Join us for this hilarious and disturbing episode, as we marvel at what was acceptable for kids to read 30 years ago.

]]>Our fantasy and sci-fi correspondent Will Friedle returns! And he’s picked a doozy for us to read. Piers Anthony has written dozens of hugely popular fantasy novels, and many of them are set in the magical, pun-filled land of Xanth.Literary Discoyes48:03Episode 120: Manhattan Beachhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/02/12/episode-120-manhattan-beach/
Mon, 12 Feb 2018 19:11:32 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=900https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/02/12/episode-120-manhattan-beach/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/02/12/episode-120-manhattan-beach/feed/0Jennifer Egan’s a favorite author here on the Disco. But does her latest novel, the New York period piece Manhattan Beach, keep up the winning streak? It made a lot of Best Of 2017 lists, but the Disco trio is a bit divided. Are these characters realistic? Is the dialogue cliched? Even as he rambles […]Jennifer Egan’s a favorite author here on the Disco.

But does her latest novel, the New York period piece Manhattan Beach, keep up the winning streak?

It made a lot of Best Of 2017 lists, but the Disco trio is a bit divided. Are these characters realistic? Is the dialogue cliched?

Even as he rambles on and on about how much he likes it, Rider admits he might be crazy…

]]>Jennifer Egan’s a favorite author here on the Disco. But does her latest novel, the New York period piece Manhattan Beach, keep up the winning streak? It made a lot of Best Of 2017 lists, but the Disco trio is a bit divided.Literary Discoyes50:35Episode 119: Lincoln in the Bardohttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/01/29/episode-119-lincoln-in-the-bardo/
Mon, 29 Jan 2018 23:42:53 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=893https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/01/29/episode-119-lincoln-in-the-bardo/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/01/29/episode-119-lincoln-in-the-bardo/feed/2 We did it. We read the George Saunders book that blew everyone’s mind in 2017. And then we talked about it.

We did it.

We read the George Saunders book that blew everyone’s mind in 2017.

And then we talked about it.

]]> We did it. We read the George Saunders book that blew everyone’s mind in 2017. And then we talked about it. Literary Discoyes38:39Episode 118: Children’s Bookshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/01/09/episode-118-childrens-books/
Tue, 09 Jan 2018 03:02:01 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=890https://www.literarydisco.com/2018/01/09/episode-118-childrens-books/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2018/01/09/episode-118-childrens-books/feed/4Too often, all we say about children’s books is “awwww.” Not today. Tod, Julia, and Rider dig deep into classics and new books for kids.Too often, all we say about children’s books is “awwww.” Not today. Tod, Julia, and Rider dig deep into classics and new books for kids.
]]>Too often, all we say about children’s books is “awwww.” Not today. Tod, Julia, and Rider dig deep into classics and new books for kids.Literary Discoyes47:14Episode 117: Holiday Readinghttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/12/25/episode-117-holiday-reading/
Mon, 25 Dec 2017 20:01:32 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=886https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/12/25/episode-117-holiday-reading/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/12/25/episode-117-holiday-reading/feed/0 Happy Holidays! In honor of the season, the Disco team does a holiday-themed Bookshelf Revisit. See you in the New Year!

Happy Holidays!

In honor of the season, the Disco team does a holiday-themed Bookshelf Revisit.

See you in the New Year!

]]> Happy Holidays! In honor of the season, the Disco team does a holiday-themed Bookshelf Revisit. See you in the New Year! Literary Discoyes36:03Episode 116: The Fact of a Bodyhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/12/11/episode-116-the-fact-of-a-body/
Mon, 11 Dec 2017 22:46:09 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=883https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/12/11/episode-116-the-fact-of-a-body/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/12/11/episode-116-the-fact-of-a-body/feed/0Time for some non-fiction! One of the most popular books of 2017, The Fact of A Body is part true crime, part memoir. After a summer spent interning for a law firm in Louisiana, Alexandra Marzona-Lesnevich examines a murder case and how it resonates within her own life. It’s a dark and twisting tale involving the […]Time for some non-fiction!

One of the most popular books of 2017, The Fact of A Body is part true crime, part memoir. After a summer spent interning for a law firm in Louisiana, Alexandra Marzona-Lesnevich examines a murder case and how it resonates within her own life.

It’s a dark and twisting tale involving the death penalty, family secrets, mental health, and yes, getting pregnant while in a body-cast.

The Disco trio reads and discusses.

]]>Time for some non-fiction! One of the most popular books of 2017, The Fact of A Body is part true crime, part memoir. After a summer spent interning for a law firm in Louisiana, Alexandra Marzona-Lesnevich examines a murder case and how it resonates wi...Literary Discoyes33:12Episode 115: My Brilliant Friendhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/11/28/episode-115-my-brilliant-friend/
Tue, 28 Nov 2017 20:33:05 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=877https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/11/28/episode-115-my-brilliant-friend/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/11/28/episode-115-my-brilliant-friend/feed/2It’s been all the rage at book clubs everywhere. We read the smash hit Italian novel from Elena Ferrante. Julia is effusive. Tod is stoked. Rider is…argumentative. Typical times at the Disco.It’s been all the rage at book clubs everywhere.

We read the smash hit Italian novel from Elena Ferrante.

Julia is effusive. Tod is stoked. Rider is…argumentative.

Typical times at the Disco.

]]>It’s been all the rage at book clubs everywhere. We read the smash hit Italian novel from Elena Ferrante. Julia is effusive. Tod is stoked. Rider is…argumentative. Typical times at the Disco.Literary Discoyes40:10Episode 114: A Fall Bookshelf Revisithttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/11/07/episode-114-a-fall-bookshelf-revisit/
Tue, 07 Nov 2017 00:49:12 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=872https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/11/07/episode-114-a-fall-bookshelf-revisit/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/11/07/episode-114-a-fall-bookshelf-revisit/feed/0Tod discovers a mysterious set of diaries. Julia reads about the tech world. Rider finds out where the sidewalk ends. It’s time for a Bookshelf Revisit.Tod discovers a mysterious set of diaries.

]]>We continue discussing listener recommended poetry. This time, all three poems are performed live, links below. That’s right, we’re talking spoken word! (Don’t worry, Tod refrains from poet voice.) Get ready to snap your fingers and bang your bongos.Literary Discoyes56:07Episode 112: Poetry from Listeners Part Onehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/09/18/episode-112-poetry-from-listeners-part-one/
Mon, 18 Sep 2017 17:09:48 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=865https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/09/18/episode-112-poetry-from-listeners-part-one/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/09/18/episode-112-poetry-from-listeners-part-one/feed/0What’s up with contemporary poetry? We asked you for some good recommendations, and the comments poured in to our Facebook page. On this episode, we discuss three of your poets (our next episode will focus on spoken word performances). They vary in style and substance, and will only take a few minutes to read, links below. […]What’s up with contemporary poetry?

We asked you for some good recommendations, and the comments poured in to our Facebook page.

On this episode, we discuss three of your poets (our next episode will focus on spoken word performances). They vary in style and substance, and will only take a few minutes to read, links below.

Poetry is always an intriguing subject, and even though this is a short reading, we managed to have a wide ranging discussion. Let us know your thoughts!

]]>What’s up with contemporary poetry? We asked you for some good recommendations, and the comments poured in to our Facebook page. On this episode, we discuss three of your poets (our next episode will focus on spoken word performances).Literary Discoyes47:21Episode 111: Buried Childhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/09/04/episode-111-buried-child/
Mon, 04 Sep 2017 20:23:11 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=857https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/09/04/episode-111-buried-child/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/09/04/episode-111-buried-child/feed/0In the wake of his death, we read the Pulitzer Prize winning play Buried Child from playwright, actor, and all around cool cowboy Sam Shepard.In the wake of his death, we read the Pulitzer Prize winning play Buried Child from playwright, actor, and all around cool cowboy Sam Shepard.

]]>In the wake of his death, we read the Pulitzer Prize winning play Buried Child from playwright, actor, and all around cool cowboy Sam Shepard.Literary Discoyes54:45Episode 110: Summer Reading 2017https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/08/14/episode-110-summer-reading-2017/
Mon, 14 Aug 2017 22:13:40 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=853https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/08/14/episode-110-summer-reading-2017/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/08/14/episode-110-summer-reading-2017/feed/0Tod, Julia and Rider discuss what they’re reading this summer. Just in time for the…end of the season. (We recorded this a few weeks back, but had some technical issues.) Enjoy! Tod, Julia and Rider discuss what they’re reading this summer.

Just in time for the…end of the season.

(We recorded this a few weeks back, but had some technical issues.)

Enjoy!

]]>Tod, Julia and Rider discuss what they’re reading this summer. Just in time for the…end of the season. (We recorded this a few weeks back, but had some technical issues.) Enjoy! Literary Discoyes20:51Episode 109: Street Ganghttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/08/03/episode-109-street-gang/
Thu, 03 Aug 2017 17:24:58 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=845https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/08/03/episode-109-street-gang/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/08/03/episode-109-street-gang/feed/0 Can you tell me how to get How to get to Sesame Street. On this episode of the Disco, we discuss the Michael Davis book, Street Gang, a detailed history of the creation and evolution of the world’s most successful children’s TV show.

Can you tell me how to get

How to get to

Sesame Street.

On this episode of the Disco, we discuss the Michael Davis book, Street Gang, a detailed history of the creation and evolution of the world’s most successful children’s TV show.

]]> Can you tell me how to get How to get to Sesame Street. On this episode of the Disco, we discuss the Michael Davis book, Street Gang, a detailed history of the creation and evolution of the world’s most successful children’s TV show.Literary Discoyes55:04Episode 108: Tower Dogshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/07/07/episode-108-tower-dogs/
Fri, 07 Jul 2017 16:46:39 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=840https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/07/07/episode-108-tower-dogs/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/07/07/episode-108-tower-dogs/feed/0Like most people, you probably thought the deadliest job in America had something to do with catching fish. Well, Douglas Scott Delaney’s here to tell you all about the actual deadliest job in the country, and the saddest part is, these workers die regularly for the oh-so-noble cause of better cell service. In Tower Dogs, […]Like most people, you probably thought the deadliest job in America had something to do with catching fish.

Well, Douglas Scott Delaney’s here to tell you all about the actual deadliest job in the country, and the saddest part is, these workers die regularly for the oh-so-noble cause of better cell service.

In Tower Dogs, Delaney recounts his career climbing impossibly tall towers to fix parts, install upgrades, and narrowly escape death. It’s a workplace of rough and tumble characters, men and women who live on-the-edge, quite literally.

]]>Like most people, you probably thought the deadliest job in America had something to do with catching fish. Well, Douglas Scott Delaney’s here to tell you all about the actual deadliest job in the country, and the saddest part is,Literary Discoyes1:01:49Episode 107: Three Day Roadhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/06/20/episode-107-three-day-road/
Tue, 20 Jun 2017 00:00:39 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=834https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/06/20/episode-107-three-day-road/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/06/20/episode-107-three-day-road/feed/0Three Day Road is an award-winning Canadian novel centered on First Nation characters. It’s been heralded for celebrating forgotten heroes: natives who fought for Canada during World War I. But recently, it’s author Joseph Boyden, has come under scrutiny regarding his claims of aboriginal heritage. And so, on this episode of the Disco, we tackle […]Three Day Road is an award-winning Canadian novel centered on First Nation characters. It’s been heralded for celebrating forgotten heroes: natives who fought for Canada during World War I.

But recently, it’s author Joseph Boyden, has come under scrutiny regarding his claims of aboriginal heritage.

And so, on this episode of the Disco, we tackle some of the thorny issues surrounding cultural appropriation…

Who has “the right” to pen books of marginalized peoples? Does the ethnicity of an author matter? When? Who decides?

]]>Three Day Road is an award-winning Canadian novel centered on First Nation characters. It’s been heralded for celebrating forgotten heroes: natives who fought for Canada during World War I. But recently, it’s author Joseph Boyden,Literary Discoyes55:48Episode 106: Norse Mythologyhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/05/22/episode-106-norse-mythology/
Mon, 22 May 2017 23:13:51 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=830https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/05/22/episode-106-norse-mythology/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/05/22/episode-106-norse-mythology/feed/0Forget what you think you know about Thor and Loki, and join the Disco trio to talk about Neil Gaiman’s latest: a retelling of Norse Mythology. Tod is bored, Rider rants, and Julia keeps her cool as the content of the Gaiman’s book is quickly abandoned in favor of discussing myths in general. Tod: “Why read about a bunch of fake gods?” […]Forget what you think you know about Thor and Loki, and join the Disco trio to talk about Neil Gaiman’s latest: a retelling of Norse Mythology.

Tod is bored, Rider rants, and Julia keeps her cool as the content of the Gaiman’s book is quickly abandoned in favor of discussing myths in general.

Tod: “Why read about a bunch of fake gods?”

Rider: “As opposed to the ‘real’ ones?”

And, it’s on…

]]>Forget what you think you know about Thor and Loki, and join the Disco trio to talk about Neil Gaiman’s latest: a retelling of Norse Mythology. Tod is bored, Rider rants, and Julia keeps her cool as the content of the Gaiman’s book is quickly abandoned...Literary Discoyes50:33Episode 105: Brat Pack Americahttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/05/08/episode-105-brat-pack-america/
Mon, 08 May 2017 18:07:25 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=824https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/05/08/episode-105-brat-pack-america/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/05/08/episode-105-brat-pack-america/feed/0After some technical difficulties (uh, Tod) we now have another Lost Episode. Goodbye, 104, we barely knew ya. So we’re jumping right to 105, in which, for the first time besides our live shows, the Literary Disco gang recorded in the same room! We discuss Kevin Smokler’s insightful survey of 1980s teen films, Brat Pack America. […]After some technical difficulties (uh, Tod) we now have another Lost Episode. Goodbye, 104, we barely knew ya.

So we’re jumping right to 105, in which, for the first time besides our live shows, the Literary Disco gang recorded in the same room!

This great book explores the history, meaning and legacy of a series of films that had a huge impact on more than one generation of Americans. Even Julia, who was way too young to see any of them in the theater, has a lot to say.

]]>After some technical difficulties (uh, Tod) we now have another Lost Episode. Goodbye, 104, we barely knew ya. So we’re jumping right to 105, in which, for the first time besides our live shows, the Literary Disco gang recorded in the same room!Literary Discoyes51:22Episode 103: 1984https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/03/14/episode-103-1984/
Tue, 14 Mar 2017 23:31:34 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=820https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/03/14/episode-103-1984/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/03/14/episode-103-1984/feed/0You read it in high school. Or college. It was that “important” book about the dangers of authoritarianism. An interesting, alternative future. A distant possibility. Maybe not anymore? The Disco trio discuss…You read it in high school. Or college. It was that “important” book about the dangers of authoritarianism.

An interesting, alternative future. A distant possibility.

Maybe not anymore?

The Disco trio discuss…

]]>You read it in high school. Or college. It was that “important” book about the dangers of authoritarianism. An interesting, alternative future. A distant possibility. Maybe not anymore? The Disco trio discuss…Literary Discoyes1:04:36Episode 102: Kindred (The Graphic Novel)https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/02/14/episode-102-kindred-the-graphic-novel/
Tue, 14 Feb 2017 16:16:03 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=816https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/02/14/episode-102-kindred-the-graphic-novel/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/02/14/episode-102-kindred-the-graphic-novel/feed/0Just like you, we’re on an Octavia Butler kick since reading Dawn. This episode, we check out the brand-new graphic novel adaptation of Butler’s masterpiece Kindred.Just like you, we’re on an Octavia Butler kick since reading Dawn. This episode, we check out the brand-new graphic novel adaptation of Butler’s masterpiece Kindred.
]]>Just like you, we’re on an Octavia Butler kick since reading Dawn. This episode, we check out the brand-new graphic novel adaptation of Butler’s masterpiece Kindred.Literary Discoyes32:42Episode 101: Q&Ahttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/01/26/episode-101-qa/
Thu, 26 Jan 2017 22:45:38 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=813https://www.literarydisco.com/2017/01/26/episode-101-qa/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2017/01/26/episode-101-qa/feed/2Tod, Julia and Rider answer questions from listeners.Tod, Julia and Rider answer questions from listeners.
]]>Tod, Julia and Rider answer questions from listeners.Literary Discoyes48:50Episode 100!https://www.literarydisco.com/2016/12/24/episode-100/
Sat, 24 Dec 2016 05:42:58 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=803https://www.literarydisco.com/2016/12/24/episode-100/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2016/12/24/episode-100/feed/4Back from a long absence, we explain where we were, what we were doing, and what you should have been reading all along.Back from a long absence, we explain where we were, what we were doing, and what you should have been reading all along.
]]>Back from a long absence, we explain where we were, what we were doing, and what you should have been reading all along.Literary Discoyes1:07:45Episode 99: Summer Reading 2016https://www.literarydisco.com/2016/07/27/episode-99-summer-reading-2016/
Wed, 27 Jul 2016 19:08:59 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=800https://www.literarydisco.com/2016/07/27/episode-99-summer-reading-2016/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2016/07/27/episode-99-summer-reading-2016/feed/0It’s that time again. Tod and Julia discuss summer reading…and introduce a contest for Episode 100.It’s that time again.

]]>It’s that time again. Tod and Julia discuss summer reading…and introduce a contest for Episode 100.Literary Discoyes49:50Episode 98: Games Games Gameshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2016/06/20/episode-98-games-games-games/
Mon, 20 Jun 2016 17:38:05 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=797https://www.literarydisco.com/2016/06/20/episode-98-games-games-games/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2016/06/20/episode-98-games-games-games/feed/0Back by popular demand — games! As we near the big 100, we take some time to play a few Literary Disco classics.Back by popular demand — games!

As we near the big 100, we take some time to play a few Literary Disco classics.

]]>Back by popular demand — games! As we near the big 100, we take some time to play a few Literary Disco classics.Literary Discoyes48:16Episode 97: Dawnhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2016/05/25/episode-97-dawn/
Wed, 25 May 2016 18:01:28 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=791https://www.literarydisco.com/2016/05/25/episode-97-dawn/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2016/05/25/episode-97-dawn/feed/0This episode, we enter the compelling world of Octavia E. Butler’s Dawn, the first in her Xenogenesis series. That’s right, we’re going full sci-fi. Post-apocalypse, aliens, tentacles and even…interspecies orgies? This little novel sends us down a rabbit hole of slavery, feminism, and the ethics of alien meddling.This episode, we enter the compelling world of Octavia E. Butler’s Dawn, the first in her Xenogenesis series.

This little novel sends us down a rabbit hole of slavery, feminism, and the ethics of alien meddling.

]]>This episode, we enter the compelling world of Octavia E. Butler’s Dawn, the first in her Xenogenesis series. That’s right, we’re going full sci-fi. Post-apocalypse, aliens, tentacles and even…interspecies orgies?Literary Discoyes55:38Episode 96: Why We Write About Ourselveshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2016/04/07/episode-96-why-we-write-about-ourselves/
Thu, 07 Apr 2016 20:56:57 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=783https://www.literarydisco.com/2016/04/07/episode-96-why-we-write-about-ourselves/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2016/04/07/episode-96-why-we-write-about-ourselves/feed/0For the first time on the Disco, we discuss a book on the craft of writing. We delve into a new collection of essays by some of the world’s great memoirists. Why We Write About Ourselves: Twenty Memoirists on Why They Expose Themselves (and Others) in the Name of Literature is edited by Meredith Maran […]For the first time on the Disco, we discuss a book on the craft of writing. We delve into a new collection of essays by some of the world’s great memoirists.

Why We Write About Ourselves: Twenty Memoirists on Why They Expose Themselves (and Others) in the Name of Literature is edited by Meredith Maran and includes pieces by Darin Strauss, Cheryl Strayed, Anne Lamott and more.

These essays are brief, interesting glimpses behind the curtain; a chance to see how some writers approach their material. And, perhaps not surprisingly, the process and philosophy varies greatly from writer to writer.

]]>For the first time on the Disco, we discuss a book on the craft of writing. We delve into a new collection of essays by some of the world’s great memoirists. Why We Write About Ourselves: Twenty Memoirists on Why They Expose Themselves (and Others) in ...Literary Discoyes45:09Episode 95: Pictures from a Revolutionhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2016/03/21/episode-95-pictures-from-a-revolution/
Mon, 21 Mar 2016 13:50:48 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=780https://www.literarydisco.com/2016/03/21/episode-95-pictures-from-a-revolution/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2016/03/21/episode-95-pictures-from-a-revolution/feed/0This month we read a nonfiction classic about the movies that changed Hollywood– hear us battle it out between Dr. Dolittle and Bonnie & Clyde. Oscar season is over but we’re not done talking about it!This month we read a nonfiction classic about the movies that changed Hollywood– hear us battle it out between Dr. Dolittle and Bonnie & Clyde. Oscar season is over but we’re not done talking about it!
]]>This month we read a nonfiction classic about the movies that changed Hollywood– hear us battle it out between Dr. Dolittle and Bonnie & Clyde. Oscar season is over but we’re not done talking about it!Literary Discoyes56:24Episode 94: The Real Muslims of Irving, Texashttps://www.literarydisco.com/2016/02/27/episode-94-the-real-muslims-of-irving-texas/
Sat, 27 Feb 2016 01:16:29 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=777https://www.literarydisco.com/2016/02/27/episode-94-the-real-muslims-of-irving-texas/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2016/02/27/episode-94-the-real-muslims-of-irving-texas/feed/1This episode we discuss an essay by Colby Buzzell appearing in the March Issue of Esquire, available here. Buzzell offers a look at the life of American Muslims and the armed protestors who regularly appear outside of their mosques. While he aims for objectivity, Buzzell’s personal history becomes unavoidable: he served in the military, where […]This episode we discuss an essay by Colby Buzzell appearing in the March Issue of Esquire, available here.

Buzzell offers a look at the life of American Muslims and the armed protestors who regularly appear outside of their mosques.

While he aims for objectivity, Buzzell’s personal history becomes unavoidable: he served in the military, where he actually shot at mosques…

An interesting look at a tense subject. We dive in headfirst.

]]>This episode we discuss an essay by Colby Buzzell appearing in the March Issue of Esquire, available here. Buzzell offers a look at the life of American Muslims and the armed protestors who regularly appear outside of their mosques.Literary Discoyes58:10Episode 93: Best of 2015https://www.literarydisco.com/2016/02/03/episode-93-best-of-2015/
Wed, 03 Feb 2016 01:07:14 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=772https://www.literarydisco.com/2016/02/03/episode-93-best-of-2015/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2016/02/03/episode-93-best-of-2015/feed/1Just in time for the end of the year… Oh, wait. Super late, we have our annual “best of” conversation for 2015! We cover our favorite books, and then, as is Literary Disco tradition, we digress into countless other favorites…Just in time for the end of the year…

Oh, wait.

Super late, we have our annual “best of” conversation for 2015!

We cover our favorite books, and then, as is Literary Disco tradition, we digress into countless other favorites…

]]>Just in time for the end of the year… Oh, wait. Super late, we have our annual “best of” conversation for 2015! We cover our favorite books, and then, as is Literary Disco tradition, we digress into countless other favorites…Literary Discoyes1:27:52Episode 92: A Christmas Romance (Novel)https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/12/22/episode-92-a-christmas-romance-novel/
Tue, 22 Dec 2015 17:17:38 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=769https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/12/22/episode-92-a-christmas-romance-novel/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/12/22/episode-92-a-christmas-romance-novel/feed/0Happy holidays! For this winter season, we got you an extra episode (to make up for our many delays this year– we blame Rider’s cute baby and Julia’s incredible myriad of technical issues). We got you what you like best: a book we were shocked by. Join us for a Christmas-themed romance novel around the […]Happy holidays! For this winter season, we got you an extra episode (to make up for our many delays this year– we blame Rider’s cute baby and Julia’s incredible myriad of technical issues). We got you what you like best: a book we were shocked by. Join us for a Christmas-themed romance novel around the fire!
]]>Happy holidays! For this winter season, we got you an extra episode (to make up for our many delays this year– we blame Rider’s cute baby and Julia’s incredible myriad of technical issues). We got you what you like best: a book we were shocked by.Literary Discoyes52:08Episode 91: George & Lumberjaneshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/12/17/episode-91-george-lumberjanes/
Thu, 17 Dec 2015 18:14:06 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=764https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/12/17/episode-91-george-lumberjanes/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/12/17/episode-91-george-lumberjanes/feed/0We continue our discussion with New York Public librarian Gwen, who recommended two books for us to read and discuss. Both are aimed at a younger audience but with an eye to gender and identity. George, by Alex Gino, is a coming of age story set in your typical American school and family. It just […]We continue our discussion with New York Public librarian Gwen, who recommended two books for us to read and discuss.

Both are aimed at a younger audience but with an eye to gender and identity.

George, by Alex Gino, is a coming of age story set in your typical American school and family. It just so happens our protagonist is a girl that everyone keeps assuming is a boy. Gino tackles a difficult subject in a direct and personal way, and we discuss the hurdles that may face a transgender novel written for middle-grade readers.

The graphic novel Lumberjanes is similar only in that it defies gender expectations. Without ever being “issue” driven, this fun, adventurous, and beautifully drawn series of comics completely won us over.

]]>We continue our discussion with New York Public librarian Gwen, who recommended two books for us to read and discuss. Both are aimed at a younger audience but with an eye to gender and identity. George, by Alex Gino,Literary Discoyes52:22Episode 90: New York Public Libraryhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/12/04/episode-90-new-york-public-library/
Fri, 04 Dec 2015 16:24:31 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=761https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/12/04/episode-90-new-york-public-library/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/12/04/episode-90-new-york-public-library/feed/0In this first half of two-part special (we’re crazy like that), we meet someone with the coolest job in the world: a recommendations editor at the New York Public Library.In this first half of two-part special (we’re crazy like that), we meet someone with the coolest job in the world: a recommendations editor at the New York Public Library.
]]>In this first half of two-part special (we’re crazy like that), we meet someone with the coolest job in the world: a recommendations editor at the New York Public Library.Literary Discoyes29:12Episode 88: Justinehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/11/10/episode-88-justine/
Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:23:00 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=756https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/11/10/episode-88-justine/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/11/10/episode-88-justine/feed/0Justine, the first book of the legendary Alexandria Quartet, gets the disco treatment. This novel was published in 1957 and has attracted devotees ever since. Told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator, it’s a non-linear, intense examination of the city of Alexandria, Egypt, and a particular woman who lives there. Tod, Julia and Rider […]Justine, the first book of the legendary Alexandria Quartet, gets the disco treatment.

This novel was published in 1957 and has attracted devotees ever since. Told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator, it’s a non-linear, intense examination of the city of Alexandria, Egypt, and a particular woman who lives there.

Tod, Julia and Rider all agree it is dense, overwritten, and largely plot-less.

Are these strengths or weaknesses?

]]>Justine, the first book of the legendary Alexandria Quartet, gets the disco treatment. This novel was published in 1957 and has attracted devotees ever since. Told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator, it’s a non-linear,Literary Discoyes59:59Episode 87: Revisitishhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/10/21/episode-87-revisitish/
Wed, 21 Oct 2015 22:08:27 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=753https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/10/21/episode-87-revisitish/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/10/21/episode-87-revisitish/feed/0We catch up from a long break. Some books, some travel, some major humiliation.We catch up from a long break. Some books, some travel, some major humiliation.
]]>We catch up from a long break. Some books, some travel, some major humiliation.Literary Discoyes53:03Episode 86: A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlinhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/10/05/episode-86-a-manual-for-cleaning-women-by-lucia-berlin/
Mon, 05 Oct 2015 15:09:32 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=750https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/10/05/episode-86-a-manual-for-cleaning-women-by-lucia-berlin/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/10/05/episode-86-a-manual-for-cleaning-women-by-lucia-berlin/feed/0This posthumous collection is getting so much praise lately– does it live up to the hype?This posthumous collection is getting so much praise lately– does it live up to the hype?
]]>This posthumous collection is getting so much praise lately– does it live up to the hype?Literary Discoyes40:16Episode 84: Judge a Book By Its Coverhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/09/21/episode-84-judge-a-book-by-its-cover/
Mon, 21 Sep 2015 13:06:59 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=747https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/09/21/episode-84-judge-a-book-by-its-cover/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/09/21/episode-84-judge-a-book-by-its-cover/feed/0A long-lost episode finally appears! Rider tries to trick Tod & Julia with a classic game of ours. You should be able to guess at least one of these: play along!A long-lost episode finally appears! Rider tries to trick Tod & Julia with a classic game of ours. You should be able to guess at least one of these: play along!
]]>A long-lost episode finally appears! Rider tries to trick Tod & Julia with a classic game of ours. You should be able to guess at least one of these: play along!Literary Discoyes31:21Episode 85: Live from the Last Bookstorehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/08/26/episode-85-live-from-the-last-bookstore/
Wed, 26 Aug 2015 11:29:12 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=744https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/08/26/episode-85-live-from-the-last-bookstore/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/08/26/episode-85-live-from-the-last-bookstore/feed/0After a brief hiatus, we’re back and we’re live! This episode has it all: nudity, cursing, Ayn Rand. Have fun and laugh along like you were there. (Episode 84 will come out next– we’re nonconformists like that.)After a brief hiatus, we’re back and we’re live! This episode has it all: nudity, cursing, Ayn Rand. Have fun and laugh along like you were there. (Episode 84 will come out next– we’re nonconformists like that.)
]]>After a brief hiatus, we’re back and we’re live! This episode has it all: nudity, cursing, Ayn Rand. Have fun and laugh along like you were there. (Episode 84 will come out next– we’re nonconformists like that.)Literary Discoyes1:13:41Episode 83: Animorphs: The Invasionhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/07/23/episode-83-animorphs-the-invasion/
Thu, 23 Jul 2015 12:10:54 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=740https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/07/23/episode-83-animorphs-the-invasion/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/07/23/episode-83-animorphs-the-invasion/feed/1You asked for it. We don’t know why, but you did.You asked for it. We don’t know why, but you did.
]]>You asked for it. We don’t know why, but you did.Literary Discoyes51:41Episode 82: Summer Readinghttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/07/07/episode-82-summer-reading/
Tue, 07 Jul 2015 11:51:57 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=737https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/07/07/episode-82-summer-reading/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/07/07/episode-82-summer-reading/feed/0Vacation is upon us and our book lists are piling up! As Rider enjoys his vacation, what will Julia & Tod be reading next?Vacation is upon us and our book lists are piling up! As Rider enjoys his vacation, what will Julia & Tod be reading next?
]]>Vacation is upon us and our book lists are piling up! As Rider enjoys his vacation, what will Julia & Tod be reading next?Literary Discoyes35:11Episode 81: Tigermanhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/06/26/episode-81-tigerman/
Fri, 26 Jun 2015 14:05:24 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=734https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/06/26/episode-81-tigerman/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/06/26/episode-81-tigerman/feed/0It’s officially summer, which means we too are officially given over to Marvel and DC madness. Now that our lives are all superheroes all the time (or so it seems in the movie theaters), we discuss our favorite superheros and Nick Harkaway’s fascinating novel, “Tigerman.”It’s officially summer, which means we too are officially given over to Marvel and DC madness. Now that our lives are all superheroes all the time (or so it seems in the movie theaters), we discuss our favorite superheros and Nick Harkaway’s fascinating novel, “Tigerman.”
]]>It’s officially summer, which means we too are officially given over to Marvel and DC madness. Now that our lives are all superheroes all the time (or so it seems in the movie theaters), we discuss our favorite superheros and Nick Harkaway’s fascinatin...Literary Discoyes1:03:36Episode 80: The Empathy Examshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/06/03/episode-80-the-empathy-exams/
Wed, 03 Jun 2015 13:26:35 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=722https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/06/03/episode-80-the-empathy-exams/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/06/03/episode-80-the-empathy-exams/feed/0After a long and beautiful vacation, we’re back! And we’re busy discussing one of the year’s breakout nonfiction books, The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison. But not before we do a bookshelf roulette that brings us to favorites old and new. That’s right, we’ve got a book so new you can’t read it yet– but […]After a long and beautiful vacation, we’re back! And we’re busy discussing one of the year’s breakout nonfiction books, The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison. But not before we do a bookshelf roulette that brings us to favorites old and new. That’s right, we’ve got a book so new you can’t read it yet– but you’ll want to.

]]>After a long and beautiful vacation, we’re back! And we’re busy discussing one of the year’s breakout nonfiction books, The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison. But not before we do a bookshelf roulette that brings us to favorites old and new.Literary Discoyes1:11:51Episode 79: Shackleton’s Journeyhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/05/04/episode-79-shackletons-journey/
Mon, 04 May 2015 16:56:50 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=716https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/05/04/episode-79-shackletons-journey/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/05/04/episode-79-shackletons-journey/feed/0This week we read William Grill’s Shackleton’s Journey, an illustrated book for children that covers a famous expedition to Antarctica that began in 1914. It’s an interesting intersection of cold facts and beautiful drawings. And it left us feeling hopeful, despite the fact that the journey itself was a failure. Up first, a Children’s Book […]This week we read William Grill’s Shackleton’s Journey, an illustrated book for children that covers a famous expedition to Antarctica that began in 1914.

It’s an interesting intersection of cold facts and beautiful drawings. And it left us feeling hopeful, despite the fact that the journey itself was a failure.

Up first, a Children’s Book themed Bookshelf Revisit, in which we each pull down a favorite — and weird, they’re all weird — kid’s book.

But most importantly, this is the episode where Tod reveals his secret passion project involving food.

That’s right, we actually get him to talk publicly about…Goldburgers.

]]>This week we read William Grill’s Shackleton’s Journey, an illustrated book for children that covers a famous expedition to Antarctica that began in 1914. It’s an interesting intersection of cold facts and beautiful drawings.Literary Discoyes1:04:31Episode 78: Nancy Drewhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/04/20/episode-78-nancy-drew/
Mon, 20 Apr 2015 15:01:46 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=709https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/04/20/episode-78-nancy-drew/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/04/20/episode-78-nancy-drew/feed/1We finally take on the young detective Nancy Drew with her first adventure, The Secret of the Old Clock Much like our Hardy Boys episode, there is some confusion about the setting (less wig shops this time), the criminals, and the overall feeling that the “mystery” ain’t that mysterious. (Hint: there’s a secret in the […]We finally take on the young detective Nancy Drew with her first adventure, The Secret of the Old Clock

Much like our Hardy Boys episode, there is some confusion about the setting (less wig shops this time), the criminals, and the overall feeling that the “mystery” ain’t that mysterious.

(Hint: there’s a secret in the old clock.)

And who knew that this much discussion of probate law would launch one of the most beloved and imitated characters of all time?

]]>We finally take on the young detective Nancy Drew with her first adventure, The Secret of the Old Clock Much like our Hardy Boys episode, there is some confusion about the setting (less wig shops this time), the criminals,Literary Discoyes1:17:29Episode 77: Jill Alexander Essbaum & Interrobanghttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/04/06/episode-76-jill-alexander-essbaum-interrobang/
Mon, 06 Apr 2015 11:41:35 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=705https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/04/06/episode-76-jill-alexander-essbaum-interrobang/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/04/06/episode-76-jill-alexander-essbaum-interrobang/feed/0We are joined this week by rising superstar Jill Alexander Essbaum (author of New York Times bestseller “Hausfrau”). Just in time for Easter, we discuss sexy religious poetry, her book, and a poetry collection you’ve never heard of: “Interrobang” by Jessica Piazza.We are joined this week by rising superstar Jill Alexander Essbaum (author of New York Times bestseller “Hausfrau”). Just in time for Easter, we discuss sexy religious poetry, her book, and a poetry collection you’ve never heard of: “Interrobang” by Jessica Piazza.
]]>We are joined this week by rising superstar Jill Alexander Essbaum (author of New York Times bestseller “Hausfrau”). Just in time for Easter, we discuss sexy religious poetry, her book, and a poetry collection you’ve never heard of: “Interrobang” by Je...Literary Discoyes1:13:55Episode 76: Story Songs 2 (The Reckoning)https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/03/25/episode-76-story-songs-2-the-reckoning/
Wed, 25 Mar 2015 13:17:57 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=702https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/03/25/episode-76-story-songs-2-the-reckoning/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/03/25/episode-76-story-songs-2-the-reckoning/feed/2Here we go again. No genre, subject, or style is as hotly debated as Story Songs. At least there’s no baseball this time.Here we go again. No genre, subject, or style is as hotly debated as Story Songs. At least there’s no baseball this time.
]]>Here we go again. No genre, subject, or style is as hotly debated as Story Songs. At least there’s no baseball this time.Literary Discoyes1:08:52Episode 75: Wolf in White Vanhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/03/10/episode-75-wolf-in-white-van/
Tue, 10 Mar 2015 18:10:45 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=695https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/03/10/episode-75-wolf-in-white-van/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/03/10/episode-75-wolf-in-white-van/feed/0An incident with a gun. A disfigured game designer. His play-by-mail roleplaying game. A death. A lawsuit. That’s all we’ll give away in an attempt not to spoil the strange and beautiful new novel that is Wolf in White Van by John Darnielle. Yes, we mispronounce his name for the first half of the show. […]An incident with a gun. A disfigured game designer. His play-by-mail roleplaying game. A death. A lawsuit.

That’s all we’ll give away in an attempt not to spoil the strange and beautiful new novel that is Wolf in White Van by John Darnielle.

Yes, we mispronounce his name for the first half of the show. And yes, none of us really know his music (he’s the lead singer and songwriter for the band, The Mountain Goats) but by the end of this episode, we certainly give props to John Darnielle for this incredible debut novel.

We only picked up this book thanks to YOUR recommendations over at the Literary Disco Goodreads Group, and man, are we glad we listened to you guys (thank you Anastasia, Terry, Bree, and Sonnet).

]]>An incident with a gun. A disfigured game designer. His play-by-mail roleplaying game. A death. A lawsuit. That’s all we’ll give away in an attempt not to spoil the strange and beautiful new novel that is Wolf in White Van by John Darnielle. Yes,Literary Discoyes58:58Episode 74: My Dad, the Pornographerhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/02/24/episode-74-my-dad-the-pornographer/
Tue, 24 Feb 2015 02:49:59 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=692https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/02/24/episode-74-my-dad-the-pornographer/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/02/24/episode-74-my-dad-the-pornographer/feed/1We couldn’t resist discussing an incredible essay by Chris Offutt that appeared in The New York Times Magazine. It’s entitled My Dad, The Pornographer. You can guess what it’s about. To give us some context, we reached back into the archives and pulled out two of Offutt’s short stories from his first collection Kentucky Straight. […]We couldn’t resist discussing an incredible essay by Chris Offutt that appeared in The New York Times Magazine. It’s entitled My Dad, The Pornographer. You can guess what it’s about.

To give us some context, we reached back into the archives and pulled out two of Offutt’s short stories from his first collection Kentucky Straight.

Fathers, sons, the American south, writing, sex, and death. All the ingredients of a classic Literary Disco episode.

]]>We couldn’t resist discussing an incredible essay by Chris Offutt that appeared in The New York Times Magazine. It’s entitled My Dad, The Pornographer. You can guess what it’s about. To give us some context,Literary Discoyes1:04:31Episode 73: Galapagoshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/02/13/episode-73-galapagos/
Fri, 13 Feb 2015 19:38:03 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=689https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/02/13/episode-73-galapagos/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/02/13/episode-73-galapagos/feed/1Today we examine whether or not every work by a master is a masterpiece. There may be some yelling.Today we examine whether or not every work by a master is a masterpiece. There may be some yelling.
]]>Today we examine whether or not every work by a master is a masterpiece. There may be some yelling.Literary Discoyes58:19Episode 72: Reeling Through Lifehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/01/27/episode-72-reeling-through-life/
Tue, 27 Jan 2015 03:14:50 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=686https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/01/27/episode-72-reeling-through-life/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/01/27/episode-72-reeling-through-life/feed/0How do movies affect us? How can we best write about them? Do we think in movie narratives now? What are the best books about movies? The gang tackles these pertinent questions while zipping through Tara Ison’s fun and creative essay collection.How do movies affect us? How can we best write about them? Do we think in movie narratives now? What are the best books about movies? The gang tackles these pertinent questions while zipping through Tara Ison’s fun and creative essay collection.
]]>How do movies affect us? How can we best write about them? Do we think in movie narratives now? What are the best books about movies? The gang tackles these pertinent questions while zipping through Tara Ison’s fun and creative essay collection.Literary Discoyes1:01:33Episode 71: Dept. Of Speculationhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/01/12/episode-71-dept-of-speculation/
Mon, 12 Jan 2015 19:11:29 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=683https://www.literarydisco.com/2015/01/12/episode-71-dept-of-speculation/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2015/01/12/episode-71-dept-of-speculation/feed/0We start off the year with a book that was hailed as one of the best of 2014: Jenny Offill’s The Department of Speculation. What’s the line between beautiful and pretentious, we ask? Plus, a revisit that jumps from comedy memoir to philosophy you’ll never read.We start off the year with a book that was hailed as one of the best of 2014: Jenny Offill’s The Department of Speculation. What’s the line between beautiful and pretentious, we ask? Plus, a revisit that jumps from comedy memoir to philosophy you’ll never read.
]]>We start off the year with a book that was hailed as one of the best of 2014: Jenny Offill’s The Department of Speculation. What’s the line between beautiful and pretentious, we ask? Plus, a revisit that jumps from comedy memoir to philosophy you’ll ne...Literary Discoyes51:44Best of 2014https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/12/29/best-of-2014/
Mon, 29 Dec 2014 16:09:24 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=679https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/12/29/best-of-2014/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/12/29/best-of-2014/feed/02014 is coming to a close, and we take a moment to answer life’s big questions: what was the best thing we read for the podcast this year? What was the best thing we read outside of it? Have Julia & Rider read Tod’s book? What is Rider’s big announcement? And who exactly is our […]2014 is coming to a close, and we take a moment to answer life’s big questions: what was the best thing we read for the podcast this year? What was the best thing we read outside of it? Have Julia & Rider read Tod’s book? What is Rider’s big announcement? And who exactly is our man of mystery, producer Tucker Ives?
]]>2014 is coming to a close, and we take a moment to answer life’s big questions: what was the best thing we read for the podcast this year? What was the best thing we read outside of it? Have Julia & Rider read Tod’s book?Literary Discoyes1:11:36Episode 69: Neil Patrick Harris’ Choose Your Own Autobiographyhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/12/17/episode-69-neil-patrick-harris-choose-your-own-autobiography/
Wed, 17 Dec 2014 15:52:17 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=676https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/12/17/episode-69-neil-patrick-harris-choose-your-own-autobiography/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/12/17/episode-69-neil-patrick-harris-choose-your-own-autobiography/feed/0You will probably be given this book for Christmas, so let us pre-judge it for you!You will probably be given this book for Christmas, so let us pre-judge it for you!
]]>You will probably be given this book for Christmas, so let us pre-judge it for you!Literary Discoyes1:09:51Episode 68: Truman Capote’s Holiday Storieshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/12/02/episode-68-truman-capotes-holiday-stories/
Tue, 02 Dec 2014 06:18:55 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=673https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/12/02/episode-68-truman-capotes-holiday-stories/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/12/02/episode-68-truman-capotes-holiday-stories/feed/0Can the man who wrote “In Cold Blood” deliver a warm-blooded holiday tale? What are Julia, Tod, and Rider thankful for this year? Is it possible to cheat at “Judging a Book By Its Cover”? These questions may or may not be answered in this holiday episode.Can the man who wrote “In Cold Blood” deliver a warm-blooded holiday tale? What are Julia, Tod, and Rider thankful for this year? Is it possible to cheat at “Judging a Book By Its Cover”? These questions may or may not be answered in this holiday episode.
]]>Can the man who wrote “In Cold Blood” deliver a warm-blooded holiday tale? What are Julia, Tod, and Rider thankful for this year? Is it possible to cheat at “Judging a Book By Its Cover”? These questions may or may not be answered in this holiday episode.Literary Discoyes1:02:58Episode 67: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxyhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/11/17/episode-67-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy/
Mon, 17 Nov 2014 22:59:52 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=670https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/11/17/episode-67-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/11/17/episode-67-hitchhikers-guide-to-the-galaxy/feed/1This week, at your request, dear listeners, we take on one of the silliest, most lovable books in the known universe. We discuss the difference between satire and parody, South Park, and a rare unanimous agreement on the best satirical living writer in America. And finally we get around to discussing “A Hitchhiker’s Guide to […]This week, at your request, dear listeners, we take on one of the silliest, most lovable books in the known universe. We discuss the difference between satire and parody, South Park, and a rare unanimous agreement on the best satirical living writer in America. And finally we get around to discussing “A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” a favorite of yours when you were eleven.
]]>This week, at your request, dear listeners, we take on one of the silliest, most lovable books in the known universe. We discuss the difference between satire and parody, South Park, and a rare unanimous agreement on the best satirical living writer in...Literary Discoyes1:04:27Episode 66: Gabrielhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/11/03/episode-66-gabriel/
Mon, 03 Nov 2014 17:07:41 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=665https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/11/03/episode-66-gabriel/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/11/03/episode-66-gabriel/feed/1Get out the tissues. This episode, we head straight for emotional jugular, as we read Edward Hirsch’s devastating poem about the life and death of his son, Gabriel. Hirsch may make us cry (and yes, that means each of us, many times) but we are also awed by his craft and uplifted by this ambitious […]Get out the tissues.

This episode, we head straight for emotional jugular, as we read Edward Hirsch’s devastating poem about the life and death of his son, Gabriel.

Hirsch may make us cry (and yes, that means each of us, many times) but we are also awed by his craft and uplifted by this ambitious poem.

Up first, we each talk about our favorite father-son work of literature. Rider goes Searching for Bobby Fischer, Julia embraces a Long Day’s Journey and Tod heads to Empire Falls.

]]>Get out the tissues. This episode, we head straight for emotional jugular, as we read Edward Hirsch’s devastating poem about the life and death of his son, Gabriel. Hirsch may make us cry (and yes, that means each of us,Literary Discoyes1:01:37Episode 65: The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum & Special Guest Stephen Graham Jones!https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/10/22/episode-65-the-girl-next-door-by-jack-ketchum-special-guest-stephen-graham-jones/
Wed, 22 Oct 2014 04:27:21 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=659https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/10/22/episode-65-the-girl-next-door-by-jack-ketchum-special-guest-stephen-graham-jones/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/10/22/episode-65-the-girl-next-door-by-jack-ketchum-special-guest-stephen-graham-jones/feed/0What’s really scary? Zombies, ghosts, vampires– or bizarre novels about torture based on true events? For this year’s Halloween episode, we welcome our expert in horror, Stephen Graham Jones. We begin with some fun stuff, like why it took zombies so long to catch on, and what the next zeitgesity beast might be. Then we […]What’s really scary? Zombies, ghosts, vampires– or bizarre novels about torture based on true events?

For this year’s Halloween episode, we welcome our expert in horror, Stephen Graham Jones. We begin with some fun stuff, like why it took zombies so long to catch on, and what the next zeitgesity beast might be.

Then we asked Stephen to select a horror book for us to read. He picked a doozy.

Hitherto unknown to all three of your Disco hosts, The Girl Next Door is without a doubt the most disturbing, controversial novel we’ve read. It’s well written, beautifully structured, and yet, will make you wish you never started it.

]]>What’s really scary? Zombies, ghosts, vampires– or bizarre novels about torture based on true events? For this year’s Halloween episode, we welcome our expert in horror, Stephen Graham Jones. We begin with some fun stuff,Literary Discoyes1:10:01Episode 64: Excavationhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/10/09/episode-64-excavation/
Thu, 09 Oct 2014 00:37:40 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=652https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/10/09/episode-64-excavation/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/10/09/episode-64-excavation/feed/0When she was 13, Wendy C. Ortiz started “dating” her 28 year-old English teacher. In her new memoir, Excavation, she returns to the years she spent maintaining this secret relationship. It’s a disarming look at a tough adolescence. Ortiz manages to capture not only her own disorienting emotions, but also — as Tod and Rider […]When she was 13, Wendy C. Ortiz started “dating” her 28 year-old English teacher. In her new memoir, Excavation, she returns to the years she spent maintaining this secret relationship.

It’s a disarming look at a tough adolescence. Ortiz manages to capture not only her own disorienting emotions, but also — as Tod and Rider will attest — an incredibly accurate portrait of life in the San Fernando Valley in the ’80s.

But first, it’s a Bookshelf Roulette. And Julia regales us with stories of sleepwalking…

]]>When she was 13, Wendy C. Ortiz started “dating” her 28 year-old English teacher. In her new memoir, Excavation, she returns to the years she spent maintaining this secret relationship. It’s a disarming look at a tough adolescence.Literary Discoyes1:17:52Episode 63: Tinkershttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/09/22/episode-63-tinkers/
Mon, 22 Sep 2014 20:17:17 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=640https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/09/22/episode-63-tinkers/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/09/22/episode-63-tinkers/feed/0A Pulitzer Prize winner none of us had read, Tinkers is a short, innovative, and compelling novel, first released in 2009. Join us as we discuss death vigils, hermits, epilepsy, and depressed mothers. Not to be missed: Tod cries. Really, he cries. Up first, the return of the Bookshelf Revisit. Rider delves into Celine Dion. […]A Pulitzer Prize winner none of us had read, Tinkers is a short, innovative, and compelling novel, first released in 2009.

Join us as we discuss death vigils, hermits, epilepsy, and depressed mothers. Not to be missed: Tod cries. Really, he cries.

Up first, the return of the Bookshelf Revisit. Rider delves into Celine Dion. Tod talks about going Against Football. And Julia buys the new David Mitchell.

Click here to purchase from an independent bookseller

]]>A Pulitzer Prize winner none of us had read, Tinkers is a short, innovative, and compelling novel, first released in 2009. Join us as we discuss death vigils, hermits, epilepsy, and depressed mothers. Not to be missed: Tod cries. Really, he cries.Literary Discoyes1:13:36Episode 62: Summer Special Aboard the Charles W. Morganhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/09/11/episode-62-summer-special-aboard-the-charles-w-morgan/
Thu, 11 Sep 2014 22:36:22 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=636https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/09/11/episode-62-summer-special-aboard-the-charles-w-morgan/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/09/11/episode-62-summer-special-aboard-the-charles-w-morgan/feed/0Ahoy! For this very special episode, Tod & Julia talk about her trip aboard the Charles W. Morgan, Moby-Dick, and the difference between boats and ships. Followed by a piece Julia wrote aboard the Morgan. Enjoy this unique back-to-school special!Ahoy!

For this very special episode, Tod & Julia talk about her trip aboard the Charles W. Morgan, Moby-Dick, and the difference between boats and ships. Followed by a piece Julia wrote aboard the Morgan. Enjoy this unique back-to-school special!

]]>Ahoy! For this very special episode, Tod & Julia talk about her trip aboard the Charles W. Morgan, Moby-Dick, and the difference between boats and ships. Followed by a piece Julia wrote aboard the Morgan. Enjoy this unique back-to-school special!Literary Discoyes42:45Episode 61: Adventures of Huckleberry Finnhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/08/24/episode-60-adventures-of-huckleberry-finn/
Sun, 24 Aug 2014 04:41:39 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=632https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/08/24/episode-60-adventures-of-huckleberry-finn/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/08/24/episode-60-adventures-of-huckleberry-finn/feed/1Summer’s over and it’s time to get serious– grab a raft and float down a river while listening to us take on the Mark Twain classic, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.Summer’s over and it’s time to get serious– grab a raft and float down a river while listening to us take on the Mark Twain classic, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
]]>Summer’s over and it’s time to get serious– grab a raft and float down a river while listening to us take on the Mark Twain classic, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.Literary Discoyes1:26:23Episode 60: Twice Upon a Timehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/08/05/episode-60-twice-upon-a-time/
Tue, 05 Aug 2014 15:38:38 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=625https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/08/05/episode-60-twice-upon-a-time/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/08/05/episode-60-twice-upon-a-time/feed/1This week the Disco Trio heads to their tablets and phones. The Atavist publishes digital essays, articles and books. One of their latest, most experimental pieces was written by Hari Kunzru. Twice Upon a Time is equal parts poem, musical experience, essay, and memoir. The discussion begins with the piece itself, then moves to the […]This week the Disco Trio heads to their tablets and phones.

The Atavist publishes digital essays, articles and books. One of their latest, most experimental pieces was written by Hari Kunzru. Twice Upon a Time is equal parts poem, musical experience, essay, and memoir.

The discussion begins with the piece itself, then moves to the broader question of form. Should we be swiping and listening while we read?

Up first, Julia gives a short recap of her time on the open seas. Then it’s a traditional Bookshelf Revisit: Rider talks about his time as a werewolf, Julia gets poetic, and Tod loves the 4th of July.

]]>This week the Disco Trio heads to their tablets and phones. The Atavist publishes digital essays, articles and books. One of their latest, most experimental pieces was written by Hari Kunzru. Twice Upon a Time is equal parts poem, musical experience,Literary Discoyes1:11:46Episode 59: Pancakes!https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/07/24/episode-59-pancakes/
Thu, 24 Jul 2014 20:46:10 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=621https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/07/24/episode-59-pancakes/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/07/24/episode-59-pancakes/feed/0Breece D’J Pancake died in 1979 at the age of 26, but not before writing some legendary short stories. In this episode, we read his collected work and discuss the rural landscape he explored. But first: it’s the return of Klassics Korner with Two K’s. Tod tries to fool Julia and Rider with some Leo […]Breece D’J Pancake died in 1979 at the age of 26, but not before writing some legendary short stories. In this episode, we read his collected work and discuss the rural landscape he explored.

But first: it’s the return of Klassics Korner with Two K’s. Tod tries to fool Julia and Rider with some Leo Tolstoy by creating a fake paragraph from The Death of Ivan Ilych.

]]>Breece D’J Pancake died in 1979 at the age of 26, but not before writing some legendary short stories. In this episode, we read his collected work and discuss the rural landscape he explored. But first: it’s the return of Klassics Korner with Two K’s.Literary Discoyes53:53Episode 58: Submergencehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/07/08/episode-58-submergence/
Tue, 08 Jul 2014 02:10:28 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=618https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/07/08/episode-58-submergence/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/07/08/episode-58-submergence/feed/0This week we take on a smart book. Maybe too smart. Rider first stumbled upon Submergence by JM Ledgard when it was given as an example of complex grown up literature within an article about the popularity of Young Adult work. The trio decided to give it a try, and are pretty unanimous in its […]This week we take on a smart book. Maybe too smart.

]]>This week we take on a smart book. Maybe too smart. Rider first stumbled upon Submergence by JM Ledgard when it was given as an example of complex grown up literature within an article about the popularity of Young Adult work.Literary Discoyes1:05:35Episode 57: Cathedral of Nervous Horseshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/06/25/episode-57-cathedral-of-nervous-horses/
Wed, 25 Jun 2014 19:52:42 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=613https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/06/25/episode-57-cathedral-of-nervous-horses/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/06/25/episode-57-cathedral-of-nervous-horses/feed/0It’s time for more poetry. And much to Tod’s chagrin, the words “Mother” and “Father” appear a lot in this collection. Undeniably, however, the poems of W.E. Butts collected in The Cathedral of Nervous Horses are thoughtful, touching, and all around damn good. The Disco trio discusses his work, and then more generally, the mysterious […]It’s time for more poetry.

And much to Tod’s chagrin, the words “Mother” and “Father” appear a lot in this collection.

Undeniably, however, the poems of W.E. Butts collected in The Cathedral of Nervous Horses are thoughtful, touching, and all around damn good. The Disco trio discusses his work, and then more generally, the mysterious life of working-class poets — those who dedicate their days writing in a form that barely gets any recognition.

But first up, a Bookshelf Roulette. Rider catches a Paris Trout, Tod gets hip-hoppy, and Julia stumbles on Didion once again.

]]>It’s time for more poetry. And much to Tod’s chagrin, the words “Mother” and “Father” appear a lot in this collection. Undeniably, however, the poems of W.E. Butts collected in The Cathedral of Nervous Horses are thoughtful, touching,Literary Discoyes1:02:18Episode 56: Shirley Jacksonhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/06/10/episode-56-shirley-jackson/
Tue, 10 Jun 2014 03:22:46 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=610https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/06/10/episode-56-shirley-jackson/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/06/10/episode-56-shirley-jackson/feed/0Before there was the Hunger Games, there was the Lottery. And not the fun kind. This week, we take on a newly published Shirley Jackson story and mix in a revisit to her classic short story “The Lottery”– which, incredibly, Rider has never read. Read along with these short stories and enjoy our descent into […]Before there was the Hunger Games, there was the Lottery. And not the fun kind.

This week, we take on a newly published Shirley Jackson story and mix in a revisit to her classic short story “The Lottery”– which, incredibly, Rider has never read. Read along with these short stories and enjoy our descent into our usual madness (now, with more stoning!).

]]>Before there was the Hunger Games, there was the Lottery. And not the fun kind. This week, we take on a newly published Shirley Jackson story and mix in a revisit to her classic short story “The Lottery”– which, incredibly, Rider has never read.Literary Discoyes59:14Episode 55: The Strangerhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/05/20/episode-55-the-stranger/
Tue, 20 May 2014 13:24:49 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=604https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/05/20/episode-55-the-stranger/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/05/20/episode-55-the-stranger/feed/0It’s back to school for the Disco, when writer and real life high school English teacher Heather Partington joins us. We asked Heather to treat us like a class: reading assignment, quiz, discussion. She selected Albert Camus’ classic novel, The Stranger. Then she gave us an online reading quiz. The results may surprise you. But […]It’s back to school for the Disco, when writer and real life high school English teacher Heather Partington joins us.

We asked Heather to treat us like a class: reading assignment, quiz, discussion. She selected Albert Camus’ classic novel, The Stranger. Then she gave us an online reading quiz. The results may surprise you.

But more importantly, there’s lots of talk about the state of literature in high schools: what kids are reading, how they’re reading, how their parents are reacting…

Heather’s on the front lines of the next generation of readers, and the Disco quickly learns that her students are very, very lucky to have her.

And then we dive into The Stranger in all its sparse, detached — et très French — glory. If you thought this book was weird when you were in high school, guess what? Still weird.

]]>It’s back to school for the Disco, when writer and real life high school English teacher Heather Partington joins us. We asked Heather to treat us like a class: reading assignment, quiz, discussion. She selected Albert Camus’ classic novel,Literary Discoyes1:00:41Episode 54: The Freehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/05/06/episode-54-the-free/
Tue, 06 May 2014 01:48:13 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=602https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/05/06/episode-54-the-free/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/05/06/episode-54-the-free/feed/0This week we discuss the novel “The Free” by Willy Vlautin. Plus, we do a good old-fashioned “what are you reading right now” revisit. A classic night at the Disco!This week we discuss the novel “The Free” by Willy Vlautin. Plus, we do a good old-fashioned “what are you reading right now” revisit. A classic night at the Disco!
]]>This week we discuss the novel “The Free” by Willy Vlautin. Plus, we do a good old-fashioned “what are you reading right now” revisit. A classic night at the Disco!Literary Discoyes1:00:00Episode 53: Choose Your Own Adventure!https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/04/16/episode-53-choose-your-own-adventure/
Wed, 16 Apr 2014 17:49:38 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=592https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/04/16/episode-53-choose-your-own-adventure/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/04/16/episode-53-choose-your-own-adventure/feed/0You are on the web, trying find something to listen to. You see a link to the latest Literary Disco episode, a podcast you love. You click on it. Now you are on the Literary Disco site, and there’s a brand new episode about Choose Your Own Adventure books! If you remember Choose Your Own […]You are on the web, trying find something to listen to.
You see a link to the latest Literary Disco episode, a podcast you love. You click on it.
Now you are on the Literary Disco site, and there’s a brand new episode about Choose Your Own Adventure books!

If you remember Choose Your Own Adventure books, scroll down.

If you are too young to know what the hell a CYOA is, good for you youngin, click here.

You begin to listen to the episode, which is about a spy-themeed Choose Your Own Adventure. Specifically, #6: Your Code Name is Jonah. The episode starts with Tod, Julia, and Rider doing a Bookshelf Revisit about their favorite spy-related literature.

And pretty soon, the three friends are discussing the convoluted plot, stale prose, and strangely dissatisfying sensation of wading through a book with 40 different endings.

But nostalgia for the 80s, weirdly inserted whale activism (yes, really), and the camaraderie of the Disco trio all draw you in. It makes you laugh and think in equal measure.

]]>You are on the web, trying find something to listen to. You see a link to the latest Literary Disco episode, a podcast you love. You click on it. Now you are on the Literary Disco site, and there’s a brand new episode about Choose Your Own Adventure bo...Literary Discoyes1:08:14Episode 52: Black Holehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/04/02/episode-52-black-hole/
Wed, 02 Apr 2014 00:46:00 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=588https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/04/02/episode-52-black-hole/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/04/02/episode-52-black-hole/feed/0Beautiful women with tails, peeling out of your own skin, bad acid trips, cat-faced kids…we must be discussing the graphic novel Black Hole by Charles Burns. This chilling book set in the Seattle area in the 1970s is the story of high schoolers who are sexually transmitting a mysterious “bug” that mutates their bodies. But […]Beautiful women with tails, peeling out of your own skin, bad acid trips, cat-faced kids…we must be discussing the graphic novel Black Hole by Charles Burns.

This chilling book set in the Seattle area in the 1970s is the story of high schoolers who are sexually transmitting a mysterious “bug” that mutates their bodies. But despite all appearances, this isn’t sci-fi horror; instead, the book speaks more to the general longing and misery that is American adolescence.

And so, for the Bookshelf Revisit, the Disco trio pulls down their favorite teen-themed work of literature. A play set on Lover’s Leap, a book about a “maniac” runner, Richard Ford’s classic Rock Springs, and of course, Bruce Springsteen.

It’s all angst all the time. Your parents just don’t get you. But we do.

]]>Beautiful women with tails, peeling out of your own skin, bad acid trips, cat-faced kids…we must be discussing the graphic novel Black Hole by Charles Burns. This chilling book set in the Seattle area in the 1970s is the story of high schoolers who are...Literary Discoyes49:38Episode 51: Five Days at Memorialhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/03/18/episode-51-five-days-at-memorial/
Tue, 18 Mar 2014 15:52:15 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=583https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/03/18/episode-51-five-days-at-memorial/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/03/18/episode-51-five-days-at-memorial/feed/2For this episode, the Disco goes back in time to 2005 for a harrowing glimpse at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina with Sheri Fink’s Five Days at Memorial. Incredibly well researched and nuanced, Fink’s book covers disaster, death, corporate irresponsibility, legal maneuvering, and personal anxiety in the face of emergency. But first: the return of […]For this episode, the Disco goes back in time to 2005 for a harrowing glimpse at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina with Sheri Fink’s Five Days at Memorial. Incredibly well researched and nuanced, Fink’s book covers disaster, death, corporate irresponsibility, legal maneuvering, and personal anxiety in the face of emergency.

But first: the return of Bookshelf Roulette! Tod lands on a book close to home, Julia examines the simple act of “looking,” and Rider finds laughter that is contagious and dangerous.

Why is Tod talking about huffing model glue and the Anarchist’s Cookbook?

]]>For this episode, the Disco goes back in time to 2005 for a harrowing glimpse at the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina with Sheri Fink’s Five Days at Memorial. Incredibly well researched and nuanced, Fink’s book covers disaster, death,Literary Discoyes50:53Episode 50: Q&Ahttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/03/04/episode-50-qa/
Tue, 04 Mar 2014 20:22:03 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=579https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/03/04/episode-50-qa/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/03/04/episode-50-qa/feed/1After some scheduling and vomiting drama (we’ll explain), we offer up this special 50th episode of wall to wall listener questions. In two weeks, we’ll return with — finally — a discussion of 5 Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink. Enjoy!After some scheduling and vomiting drama (we’ll explain), we offer up this special 50th episode of wall to wall listener questions.

In two weeks, we’ll return with — finally — a discussion of 5 Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink.

Enjoy!

]]>After some scheduling and vomiting drama (we’ll explain), we offer up this special 50th episode of wall to wall listener questions. In two weeks, we’ll return with — finally — a discussion of 5 Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink. Enjoy!Literary Discoyes56:12Episode 49: Olympic Fever!https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/02/19/episode-49-olympic-fever/
Wed, 19 Feb 2014 05:28:55 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=576https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/02/19/episode-49-olympic-fever/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/02/19/episode-49-olympic-fever/feed/2Place your hand over your heart and jump onto a podium because we’ve got Olympic fever over here. We take on the two most important sports in American history: bowling and football. This month, first we talk about our favorite sports in fiction and nonfiction. (Horses may or may not come up again.) Then we […]Place your hand over your heart and jump onto a podium because we’ve got Olympic fever over here. We take on the two most important sports in American history: bowling and football.

This month, first we talk about our favorite sports in fiction and nonfiction. (Horses may or may not come up again.) Then we get on to the main event: discussing two fascinating pieces of sports journalism, “Why Don’t More Athletes Take a Stand” by Gary Smith, and “The Most Amazing Bowling Story Ever” by Michael J. Mooney.

We’re pretty sure we’re going to get the bronze for this one… we lost some points due to Rider’s lack of knowledge of most sports.

]]>Place your hand over your heart and jump onto a podium because we’ve got Olympic fever over here. We take on the two most important sports in American history: bowling and football. This month, first we talk about our favorite sports in fiction and non...Literary Discoyes1:03:25Episode 48: Anything That Moveshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/02/04/episode-48-anything-that-moves/
Tue, 04 Feb 2014 06:00:25 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=571https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/02/04/episode-48-anything-that-moves/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/02/04/episode-48-anything-that-moves/feed/0Food, glorious food! This episode takes on Dana Goodyear’s examination of the wild and crazy world of foodies and the things they eat, cook, buy, and sell: Anything That Moves. Which begs valuable questions like, could you eat a tarantula? What about a horse? The episode opens with a food-themed bookshelf revisit, which (in typical […]Food, glorious food!

This episode takes on Dana Goodyear’s examination of the wild and crazy world of foodies and the things they eat, cook, buy, and sell: Anything That Moves. Which begs valuable questions like, could you eat a tarantula? What about a horse?

The episode opens with a food-themed bookshelf revisit, which (in typical Literary Disco fashion), manages to cram Nick Cage, corn dogs, the movie Quiz Show and the country of Ghana all into one discussion.

]]>Food, glorious food! This episode takes on Dana Goodyear’s examination of the wild and crazy world of foodies and the things they eat, cook, buy, and sell: Anything That Moves. Which begs valuable questions like, could you eat a tarantula?Literary Discoyes1:00:26Episode 47: Mistbornhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/01/21/episode-47-mistborn/
Tue, 21 Jan 2014 05:42:07 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=565https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/01/21/episode-47-mistborn/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/01/21/episode-47-mistborn/feed/3Today we welcome the first appearance of the disco’s official Fantasy Correspondent, Will Friedle. As a voracious reader of the genre, the trio asked Will to pick one of his favorite fantasy novels, and he chose Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn. Which, at 672 pages, turns out to be one of the shortest books Will could have […]Today we welcome the first appearance of the disco’s official Fantasy Correspondent, Will Friedle.

As a voracious reader of the genre, the trio asked Will to pick one of his favorite fantasy novels, and he chose Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn. Which, at 672 pages, turns out to be one of the shortest books Will could have selected from this author.

The discussion lands only on the book briefly, though, as the gang delves into the nature of fantasy itself. What makes for good fantasy, and how is that different from other genres? Is suspense as important as “world building,” or less so? What about moral complexity?

]]>Today we welcome the first appearance of the disco’s official Fantasy Correspondent, Will Friedle. As a voracious reader of the genre, the trio asked Will to pick one of his favorite fantasy novels, and he chose Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn. Which,Literary Discoyes1:01:49Episode 46: Best American Short Stories 2013https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/01/07/episode-46-best-american-short-stories-2013/
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 03:51:36 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=558https://www.literarydisco.com/2014/01/07/episode-46-best-american-short-stories-2013/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2014/01/07/episode-46-best-american-short-stories-2013/feed/0In this episode, Tod selects three short stories from the latest Best American collection. First up is Alice Munro’s “Trains,” a poignant and surprisingly epic story of a soldier post-WWII. Then Suzanne Rivecca’s story about a meeting between an employee of a shelter and a rich author, “Philanthropy.” And finally, cats gets killed in Callan […]In this episode, Tod selects three short stories from the latest Best American collection.

First up is Alice Munro’s “Trains,” a poignant and surprisingly epic story of a soldier post-WWII. Then Suzanne Rivecca’s story about a meeting between an employee of a shelter and a rich author, “Philanthropy.” And finally, cats gets killed in Callan Wink’s “Breatharians.”

Opinions vary, but on the whole, the Disco trio is in agreement that these are some mighty fine stories.

In the opening revisit, Tod brings up an essay and a boxing book, Julia talks urban renewal, and Rider talks dialect. FYI: after this episode, we expect you all to pronounce Julia’s name “Jul-ya” and to never, ever, do a “cleanse” of any sort.

]]>In this episode, Tod selects three short stories from the latest Best American collection. First up is Alice Munro’s “Trains,” a poignant and surprisingly epic story of a soldier post-WWII. Then Suzanne Rivecca’s story about a meeting between an employ...Literary Discoyes1:06:27Episode 45: Best of 2013https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/12/23/episode-45-best-of-2014/
Mon, 23 Dec 2013 13:31:08 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=554https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/12/23/episode-45-best-of-2014/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/12/23/episode-45-best-of-2014/feed/1In this delightful, coffee-fueled episode, we each choose a book for the hall of fame and name our favorite books we read this year. Plus, Klassics Korner makes a thrilling return with the addition of a certain boy wizard, Tod’s poet voice does not include James Franco this time, and Rider tells us his nerdiest […]In this delightful, coffee-fueled episode, we each choose a book for the hall of fame and name our favorite books we read this year. Plus, Klassics Korner makes a thrilling return with the addition of a certain boy wizard, Tod’s poet voice does not include James Franco this time, and Rider tells us his nerdiest moment of the year. Happy New Year from the Disco!
]]>In this delightful, coffee-fueled episode, we each choose a book for the hall of fame and name our favorite books we read this year. Plus, Klassics Korner makes a thrilling return with the addition of a certain boy wizard,Literary Discoyes56:31Episode 44: Robert Frost’s New Hampshirehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/12/10/episode-44-robert-frosts-new-hampshire/
Tue, 10 Dec 2013 22:21:02 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=549https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/12/10/episode-44-robert-frosts-new-hampshire/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/12/10/episode-44-robert-frosts-new-hampshire/feed/0For the first time ever, the Disco takes on a dead poet. And not just any one, but perhaps the most celebrated and popular of American poets, Robert Frost. Julia selected his fourth book, New Hampshire, which includes famous Frost poems such as “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” and “Fire and Ice.” But […]For the first time ever, the Disco takes on a dead poet. And not just any one, but perhaps the most celebrated and popular of American poets, Robert Frost. Julia selected his fourth book, New Hampshire, which includes famous Frost poems such as “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” and “Fire and Ice.” But also plenty of lesser known works.

What follows includes some strong (but relatively peaceful) disagreements about Frost and his legacy.

Up first, in a themed Bookshelf Revisit, your hosts each present a favorite place-based piece of writing. Which includes fiction, non-fiction, and something called a “deep map.”

But don’t worry, Tod manages to work his time as a strip club DJ into the discussion.

]]>For the first time ever, the Disco takes on a dead poet. And not just any one, but perhaps the most celebrated and popular of American poets, Robert Frost. Julia selected his fourth book, New Hampshire, which includes famous Frost poems such as “Stoppi...Literary Discoyes1:02:38Episode 43: Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walkhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/11/26/episode-43-billy-lynns-long-halftime-walk/
Tue, 26 Nov 2013 02:14:07 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=544https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/11/26/episode-43-billy-lynns-long-halftime-walk/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/11/26/episode-43-billy-lynns-long-halftime-walk/feed/0Football and the Iraq war come together in Ben Fountain’s novel, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, a portrait of fictional war heroes during a “victory tour” in 2004. The disco trio discusses the books insights on war, class, and politics. Not to mention Fountain’s mastery of his craft. But first, it’s Bookshelf Roulette, which brings […]Football and the Iraq war come together in Ben Fountain’s novel, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, a portrait of fictional war heroes during a “victory tour” in 2004. The disco trio discusses the books insights on war, class, and politics. Not to mention Fountain’s mastery of his craft.

But first, it’s Bookshelf Roulette, which brings up important questions such as, why do all fantasy novels take place in England? Who in the world still has personalized license plates? And, what WAS the plot of Marilynne Robinsons’ novel Housekeeping? (Seriously, does anybody remember? Please email us.)

]]>Football and the Iraq war come together in Ben Fountain’s novel, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, a portrait of fictional war heroes during a “victory tour” in 2004. The disco trio discusses the books insights on war, class, and politics.Literary Discoyes1:00:11Episode 42: When Animals Attackhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/11/11/episode-42-when-animals-attack/
Mon, 11 Nov 2013 19:34:32 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=536https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/11/11/episode-42-when-animals-attack/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/11/11/episode-42-when-animals-attack/feed/2On this “animal rage” episode, the trio reads articles about animal attacks. From Slate, A Death in Yellowstone by Jessica Grose From Outside Magazine, The Killer in the Pool by Tim Zimmerman And from Esquire, The Worst Story I Ever Heard by Rich Schapiro Discussions of zoos, pets, national parks, and the nature of animals […]On this “animal rage” episode, the trio reads articles about animal attacks.

Discussions of zoos, pets, national parks, and the nature of animals ensues…culminating in the very important question, what’s scarier: a chimp, a bear, or a killer whale?

Up first in the revisit, Rider heads to Pilgrim Creek, Tod analyzes Jack London’s dog narrators, and Julia admits she was a horse obsessed pre-teen.

]]>On this “animal rage” episode, the trio reads articles about animal attacks. From Slate, A Death in Yellowstone by Jessica Grose From Outside Magazine, The Killer in the Pool by Tim Zimmerman And from Esquire,Literary Discoyes1:04:02Episode 41: Dr. Sleephttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/10/31/episode-41-dr-sleep/
Thu, 31 Oct 2013 17:59:09 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=532https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/10/31/episode-41-dr-sleep/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/10/31/episode-41-dr-sleep/feed/0In this Halloween spooktacular, we talk about Stephen King’s latest novel, Dr. Sleep. It’s a sequel to his genre-defining classic, The Shining. Does Dr. Sleep hold up to its predecessor? Or is it something different entirely? But first, we bring to the Bookshelf Revisit the books and stories that scared us the most, either as […]In this Halloween spooktacular, we talk about Stephen King’s latest novel, Dr. Sleep. It’s a sequel to his genre-defining classic, The Shining.

Does Dr. Sleep hold up to its predecessor? Or is it something different entirely?

But first, we bring to the Bookshelf Revisit the books and stories that scared us the most, either as a child or an adult.

And then Tod and Julie both tell some “real life” ghost stories. Which sends Rider into a tailspin of skepticism (i.e., condescension) and Tod into a defense of the paranormal (i.e., egging Rider on). It’s one of the most combative episodes yet, and this fight has nothing to do with literature.

]]>In this Halloween spooktacular, we talk about Stephen King’s latest novel, Dr. Sleep. It’s a sequel to his genre-defining classic, The Shining. Does Dr. Sleep hold up to its predecessor? Or is it something different entirely? But first,Literary Discoyes57:43Episode 40: Things Fall Aparthttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/10/14/episode-40-things-fall-apart/
Mon, 14 Oct 2013 22:16:05 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=527https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/10/14/episode-40-things-fall-apart/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/10/14/episode-40-things-fall-apart/feed/1Chinua Achebe’s classic novel of a Nigerian colonial encounter gets the Disco treatment. An in-depth look at Things Fall Apart leads to discussion of Achebe’s legacy and African literature in general. But first, songs. Lots of songs, as Rider introduces his latest lyrical discovery, Tod talks rock-drug-memoirs, and Julia discusses a book titled, Born to […]Chinua Achebe’s classic novel of a Nigerian colonial encounter gets the Disco treatment. An in-depth look at Things Fall Apart leads to discussion of Achebe’s legacy and African literature in general.

But first, songs. Lots of songs, as Rider introduces his latest lyrical discovery, Tod talks rock-drug-memoirs, and Julia discusses a book titled, Born to Run…which, perhaps predictably, inspires some Springsteen singing.

There’s no outro to this episode, since Rider is on the road to his wedding and without a microphone. But up in two weeks: just in time for Halloween, the Disco will take on Stephen King’s new novel, Dr. Sleep.

]]>Chinua Achebe’s classic novel of a Nigerian colonial encounter gets the Disco treatment. An in-depth look at Things Fall Apart leads to discussion of Achebe’s legacy and African literature in general. But first, songs. Lots of songs,Literary Discoyes53:12Episode 39: The Penis Playhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/10/01/episode-39-the-penis-play/
Tue, 01 Oct 2013 06:18:05 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=522https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/10/01/episode-39-the-penis-play/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/10/01/episode-39-the-penis-play/feed/0This week the trio takes on a dirtily-titled play that’s…actually not that dirty. “Cock” by Mike Bartlett is a strange combination of minimalist writing, incredibly specific characters, and Big Important Issues. For the second play the disco has tackled, it’s a good example of one that might read better than it will perform. But we’ll […]This week the trio takes on a dirtily-titled play that’s…actually not that dirty. “Cock” by Mike Bartlett is a strange combination of minimalist writing, incredibly specific characters, and Big Important Issues. For the second play the disco has tackled, it’s a good example of one that might read better than it will perform. But we’ll only know if any of our listeners have seen it…

The discussion dives headfirst into the nature of sexual identity, and eventually, Tod will ask pressing (ridiculous) questions about the craft of stage acting (i.e., How do actors stand in front of people so long? How do they not pee?).

But first, in the Bookshelf Revisit: books on Giants and Santa Clause, rip-your-heart-out lyrics about cancer, and the fascinating history of Legos.

]]>This week the trio takes on a dirtily-titled play that’s…actually not that dirty. “Cock” by Mike Bartlett is a strange combination of minimalist writing, incredibly specific characters, and Big Important Issues.Literary Discoyes48:16Episode 38: Summer Vacation Essayshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/09/17/episode-38-summer-vacation-essays/
Tue, 17 Sep 2013 03:34:52 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=516https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/09/17/episode-38-summer-vacation-essays/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/09/17/episode-38-summer-vacation-essays/feed/2This week, the Disco trio reflects on the end of summer with two classic essays Julia selected. First up, E.B. White’s short and moving trip back to his childhood vacation spot, Once More to the Lake (which can be found in its entirety, here). And then, David Foster Wallace gets a well deserved lengthy discussion […]This week, the Disco trio reflects on the end of summer with two classic essays Julia selected.

First up, E.B. White’s short and moving trip back to his childhood vacation spot, Once More to the Lake (which can be found in its entirety, here).

And then, David Foster Wallace gets a well deserved lengthy discussion regarding his hysterical, career-making article about the miserable week he spent on a cruise ship: A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again. Which, perhaps inevitably, leads Julia, Rider and Tod to share their personal cruise ship horror stories.

What is America’s obsession with vacation? Why is summer so meaningful in our lives? Why is Tod singing Toni Braxton?

]]>This week, the Disco trio reflects on the end of summer with two classic essays Julia selected. First up, E.B. White’s short and moving trip back to his childhood vacation spot, Once More to the Lake (which can be found in its entirety, here).Literary Discoyes17:32Episode 37: Hot for Teacher, LIVE!https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/09/03/episode-37-hot-for-teacher-live/
Tue, 03 Sep 2013 17:34:04 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=510https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/09/03/episode-37-hot-for-teacher-live/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/09/03/episode-37-hot-for-teacher-live/feed/2Our first live episode, recorded in front of an amazing audience on August 22nd at the Barnes & Noble at the Grove in Los Angeles, California. We’re joined by guest author Ivy Pochoda, who just that day was wrapping up the book tour for her latest novel, Visitation Street. For the Disco trio to read, […]Our first live episode, recorded in front of an amazing audience on August 22nd at the Barnes & Noble at the Grove in Los Angeles, California.

We’re joined by guest author Ivy Pochoda, who just that day was wrapping up the book tour for her latest novel, Visitation Street.

For the Disco trio to read, Ivy selected the novel Tampa by Alissa Nutting, the first book to make Tod’s jokes and innuendos seem tame by comparison.

But first, we each do a Bookshelf Revisit, two of which harken back to the “origin stories” we told in our very first episode. Then Tod brings the Poet Voice to the masses. We let the audience vote on which of his dramatically intoned selections is actually a poem.

It’s long, it’s unruly, and thanks to many technical issues, it doesn’t sound all that great…but it’s Literary Disco live!

]]>Our first live episode, recorded in front of an amazing audience on August 22nd at the Barnes & Noble at the Grove in Los Angeles, California. We’re joined by guest author Ivy Pochoda, who just that day was wrapping up the book tour for her latest nove...Literary Discoyes1:23:40Episode 36: The Woman Chaserhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/08/20/episode-36-the-woman-chaser/
Tue, 20 Aug 2013 06:30:47 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=506https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/08/20/episode-36-the-woman-chaser/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/08/20/episode-36-the-woman-chaser/feed/0Guest author Jim Gavin joins us for the strange journey that is Charles Willeford’s novel, The Woman Chaser, a book that confounds as much as it entertains. LA noir, postmodern pulp, and somehow, existential ennui are all squeezed into one little, psychotic book. But first, a Bookshelf Revisit that includes two nature poets, one of […]Guest author Jim Gavin joins us for the strange journey that is Charles Willeford’s novel, The Woman Chaser, a book that confounds as much as it entertains. LA noir, postmodern pulp, and somehow, existential ennui are all squeezed into one little, psychotic book.

But first, a Bookshelf Revisit that includes two nature poets, one of whom you probably know, the other you probably don’t.

And in a special bonus interview, Rider talks Finnegans Wake with Joyce scholar Michael Seidel. Given his years of studying and teaching Joyce, can he make the book more accessible for those of us engaged in Finnegans Wake-Up? And for those of you who would never want to read it (like um, Tod), you may still be surprised by the nature of Joyce’s project.

]]>Guest author Jim Gavin joins us for the strange journey that is Charles Willeford’s novel, The Woman Chaser, a book that confounds as much as it entertains. LA noir, postmodern pulp, and somehow, existential ennui are all squeezed into one little,Literary Discoyes1:13:25Episode 35: A River Runs Through Ithttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/08/06/episode-35-a-river-runs-through-it/
Tue, 06 Aug 2013 10:32:52 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=499https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/08/06/episode-35-a-river-runs-through-it/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/08/06/episode-35-a-river-runs-through-it/feed/0This week, we catch a big fish: the classic novella “A River Runs Through It,” and — movie bonus — we rant and rave about how it translated. Also discussed: a roulette brings us to Wuthering Heights, Dickensian England, and the literary magazine Barrelhouse. Click here to purchase from an independent booksellerThis week, we catch a big fish: the classic novella “A River Runs Through It,” and — movie bonus — we rant and rave about how it translated. Also discussed: a roulette brings us to Wuthering Heights, Dickensian England, and the literary magazine Barrelhouse.

]]>This week, we catch a big fish: the classic novella “A River Runs Through It,” and — movie bonus — we rant and rave about how it translated. Also discussed: a roulette brings us to Wuthering Heights, Dickensian England,Literary Discoyes56:00Episode 34: Thunderbirdhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/07/23/episode-34-thunderbirds/
Tue, 23 Jul 2013 04:31:08 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=477https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/07/23/episode-34-thunderbirds/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/07/23/episode-34-thunderbirds/feed/1This week, we return to contemporary poetry– but not before revisiting JK Rowling’s pen-name revelation, Middlesex, and the profound number of songs in the Hobbit. AND we announce the details of our live show, and throw down the Finnegan’s Wake-Up challenge! Click here to purchase Thunderbird from an independent booksellerThis week, we return to contemporary poetry– but not before revisiting JK Rowling’s pen-name revelation, Middlesex, and the profound number of songs in the Hobbit. AND we announce the details of our live show, and throw down the Finnegan’s Wake-Up challenge!

]]>This week, we return to contemporary poetry– but not before revisiting JK Rowling’s pen-name revelation, Middlesex, and the profound number of songs in the Hobbit. AND we announce the details of our live show,Literary Discoyes59:49Episode 33: Graphic Novelshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/07/09/episode-33-graphic-novels/
Tue, 09 Jul 2013 06:21:59 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=466https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/07/09/episode-33-graphic-novels/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/07/09/episode-33-graphic-novels/feed/3In this episode, the disco trio finally takes on graphic novels. Goliath by Tom Gauld and My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf, both empathetic takes on infamous villains. But should they be empathetic? Opinions clash as these two very different books come under the microscope. Not surprisingly, the addition of visual art changes the entire […]In this episode, the disco trio finally takes on graphic novels. Goliath by Tom Gauld and My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf, both empathetic takes on infamous villains. But should they be empathetic? Opinions clash as these two very different books come under the microscope. Not surprisingly, the addition of visual art changes the entire reading experience and the discussion.

But first, in the Bookshelf Revisit, Rider will say the name Guybrush Threepwood, Tod will narrate the inner voice of a fish, and Julia heads to Shawshank.

Also, Baby Hitler makes an appearance. We’re not kidding.

]]>In this episode, the disco trio finally takes on graphic novels. Goliath by Tom Gauld and My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf, both empathetic takes on infamous villains. But should they be empathetic? Opinions clash as these two very different books com...Literary Discoyes59:56Episode 32: Seating Arrangementshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/06/25/episode-32-seating-arrangements/
Tue, 25 Jun 2013 02:41:52 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=458https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/06/25/episode-32-seating-arrangements/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/06/25/episode-32-seating-arrangements/feed/1This week, it’s wedding time. The gang reads Maggie Shipstead’s novel Seating Arrangements, which takes place over three days of nuptials on an exclusive, East Coast island. Everyone’s rich, everyone went to Harvard, everyone has “first-world problems,” but does it make for a good read? The answer is more complicated than Julia, Tod, and Rider […]This week, it’s wedding time. The gang reads Maggie Shipstead’s novel Seating Arrangements, which takes place over three days of nuptials on an exclusive, East Coast island. Everyone’s rich, everyone went to Harvard, everyone has “first-world problems,” but does it make for a good read? The answer is more complicated than Julia, Tod, and Rider expected…

But first, on our Bookshelf Revisit, Tod talks author correspondence, and trying to give an inspiring speech to his students. Julia binges on Stephen King. And Rider tries to read from Finnegan’s Wake, which inspires the Disco trio to come up with a great idea for a blog. An idea that actually might kill them — or at least render the three of them serious substance abusers — but all in the name of literature. Should they do it?

]]>This week, it’s wedding time. The gang reads Maggie Shipstead’s novel Seating Arrangements, which takes place over three days of nuptials on an exclusive, East Coast island. Everyone’s rich, everyone went to Harvard,Literary Discoyes54:07Episode 31: Crooked Letter, Crooked Letterhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/06/10/episode-31-crooked-letter-crooked-letter/
Mon, 10 Jun 2013 22:59:00 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=451https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/06/10/episode-31-crooked-letter-crooked-letter/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/06/10/episode-31-crooked-letter-crooked-letter/feed/0Today we go to the one genre where our tastes truly collide: the crime novel. Rider, Tod, & Julia discuss Edgar-Award-Winning Tom Franklin’s latest work of southern intrigue.Today we go to the one genre where our tastes truly collide: the crime novel. Rider, Tod, & Julia discuss Edgar-Award-Winning Tom Franklin’s latest work of southern intrigue.
]]>Today we go to the one genre where our tastes truly collide: the crime novel. Rider, Tod, & Julia discuss Edgar-Award-Winning Tom Franklin’s latest work of southern intrigue.Literary Discoyes57:53Episode 30: Flowers in the Attichttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/05/28/episode-30-flowers-in-the-attic/
Tue, 28 May 2013 11:02:36 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=446https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/05/28/episode-30-flowers-in-the-attic/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/05/28/episode-30-flowers-in-the-attic/feed/3It’s time to take on the book that you all read, under your covers, late at night, freaking out about the nature of puberty, poisoned donuts, and inheritances. This is the book that we almost murder Rider for even suggesting it might be a classic of any sort. This is the book that is way […]It’s time to take on the book that you all read, under your covers, late at night, freaking out about the nature of puberty, poisoned donuts, and inheritances. This is the book that we almost murder Rider for even suggesting it might be a classic of any sort. This is the book that is way too dramatic. This… is…. Flowers in the Attic.

Also discussed: will books on writing stand the test of time? Would you rather be the Assassin, or Happy to be Alive? Is F. Scott Fitzgerald a hack? And what’s a spontaneous Friday night with Julia like?

]]>It’s time to take on the book that you all read, under your covers, late at night, freaking out about the nature of puberty, poisoned donuts, and inheritances. This is the book that we almost murder Rider for even suggesting it might be a classic of an...Literary Discoyes51:37Episode 29: The Fault in Our Starshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/05/14/episode-29-the-fault-in-our-stars/
Tue, 14 May 2013 16:59:17 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=439https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/05/14/episode-29-the-fault-in-our-stars/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/05/14/episode-29-the-fault-in-our-stars/feed/17What is the difference between drama and melodrama? Should books be written differently with teenage readers in mind? What is Romeo and Juliet actually about? And, if Rider rants in a forest, does anyone care? This week we engage in one of the most heated debates in Disco history, centered around John Green’s The Fault […]What is the difference between drama and melodrama? Should books be written differently with teenage readers in mind? What is Romeo and Juliet actually about? And, if Rider rants in a forest, does anyone care?

This week we engage in one of the most heated debates in Disco history, centered around John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars in particular, and Young Adult literature in general.

But first, we play Bookshelf Roulette. Tod will introduce you to memoirist Dinah Lenney, Rider stumbles upon his own signature, and Julia reads from one of her favorite literary journals.

Lots of big questions and no easy solutions in this episode, so we’re looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

]]>What is the difference between drama and melodrama? Should books be written differently with teenage readers in mind? What is Romeo and Juliet actually about? And, if Rider rants in a forest, does anyone care?Literary Discoyes1:06:30Episode 28: Two Essays about Iowahttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/04/30/episode-28-two-essays-about-iowa/
Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:15:16 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=434https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/04/30/episode-28-two-essays-about-iowa/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/04/30/episode-28-two-essays-about-iowa/feed/2Today is all about duality. Is a tragic event better written about as a personal essay, or as straight reportage? Should visitors to LA check out the Book Festival or the Grilled Cheese Festival? Tough decisions abound. At the heart of the episode is our comparative study on two essays: Jo Ann Beard’s “The Fourth […]Today is all about duality. Is a tragic event better written about as a personal essay, or as straight reportage? Should visitors to LA check out the Book Festival or the Grilled Cheese Festival? Tough decisions abound. At the heart of the episode is our comparative study on two essays: Jo Ann Beard’s “The Fourth State of Matter,” and Jim Mann’s “The Physics of Revenge.” Each one unpacks the same cultural event using wildly different techniques. Which form of nonfiction will prevail?
]]>Today is all about duality. Is a tragic event better written about as a personal essay, or as straight reportage? Should visitors to LA check out the Book Festival or the Grilled Cheese Festival? Tough decisions abound.Literary Discoyes50:30Episode 27: Flimsy Little Plastic Miracleshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/04/16/episode-27-flimsy-little-plastic-miracles/
Tue, 16 Apr 2013 02:18:19 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=424https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/04/16/episode-27-flimsy-little-plastic-miracles/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/04/16/episode-27-flimsy-little-plastic-miracles/feed/2In this episode, Tod, Rider, and Julia take on Ron Currie Jr.’s new novel, Flimsy Little Plastic Miracles. One of the podcast’s most intense discussion ensues, primarily regarding the book’s masculinity. What makes a book manly, anyway? And why is Rider quoting Legends of the Fall? The words “trope” and “deconstruction” figure prominently. But first […]In this episode, Tod, Rider, and Julia take on Ron Currie Jr.’s new novel, Flimsy Little Plastic Miracles.

One of the podcast’s most intense discussion ensues, primarily regarding the book’s masculinity.

What makes a book manly, anyway? And why is Rider quoting Legends of the Fall? The words “trope” and “deconstruction” figure prominently.

But first up, in this week’s Bookshelf Roulette, Julia lands on a Lonely Planet, Tod talks about boogers (amazingly, this is totally on-topic) and Rider complains about drunk LA writers. Rider complains about drunk dude writers a lot in this episode.

Enjoy, and let us know what YOU think!

]]>In this episode, Tod, Rider, and Julia take on Ron Currie Jr.’s new novel, Flimsy Little Plastic Miracles. One of the podcast’s most intense discussion ensues, primarily regarding the book’s masculinity. What makes a book manly, anyway?Literary Discoyes52:36Episode 26: The Birthday Episodehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/04/01/episode-26-the-birthday-episode/
Mon, 01 Apr 2013 23:46:00 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=418https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/04/01/episode-26-the-birthday-episode/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/04/01/episode-26-the-birthday-episode/feed/0Happy birthday to us! For our birthday, we happen to all touch on stories about us sobbing uncontrollably. What says “birthday” like dredging up childhood memories of being the fat kid? If that’s not enticing enough for you, we create a Bookshelf of Fame and each add a book to it. Then we introduce a […]Happy birthday to us!

For our birthday, we happen to all touch on stories about us sobbing uncontrollably. What says “birthday” like dredging up childhood memories of being the fat kid? If that’s not enticing enough for you, we create a Bookshelf of Fame and each add a book to it. Then we introduce a new game called “Wordz to Your Mother,” and go back to all of our old favorites. There’s no pin the tale on the donkey, but there are victory, screaming, and nostalgia! Happy birthday, listeners!

]]>Happy birthday to us! For our birthday, we happen to all touch on stories about us sobbing uncontrollably. What says “birthday” like dredging up childhood memories of being the fat kid? If that’s not enticing enough for you,Literary Discoyes56:49Episode 25: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmeshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/03/19/episode-25-the-adventures-of-sherlock-holmes/
Tue, 19 Mar 2013 03:54:24 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=414https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/03/19/episode-25-the-adventures-of-sherlock-holmes/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/03/19/episode-25-the-adventures-of-sherlock-holmes/feed/1This week on Literary Disco, full of sound and fury, we debate the meaning of the mysterious tetractus. Bookshelf roulette also leads us to a castle we can capture– but eventually, we get to discuss Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.” Plus a super-special bonus discussion of the oddities and delights of the […]This week on Literary Disco, full of sound and fury, we debate the meaning of the mysterious tetractus. Bookshelf roulette also leads us to a castle we can capture– but eventually, we get to discuss Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.” Plus a super-special bonus discussion of the oddities and delights of the annual AWP conference.
]]>This week on Literary Disco, full of sound and fury, we debate the meaning of the mysterious tetractus. Bookshelf roulette also leads us to a castle we can capture– but eventually, we get to discuss Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Adventures of Sherlock Holm...Literary Discoyes55:32Episode 24: When My Brother Was an Aztec & Smith Blue (The Poetry Episode)https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/03/05/episode-24-when-my-brother-was-an-aztec-smith-blue-the-poetry-episode/
Tue, 05 Mar 2013 05:07:47 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=408https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/03/05/episode-24-when-my-brother-was-an-aztec-smith-blue-the-poetry-episode/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/03/05/episode-24-when-my-brother-was-an-aztec-smith-blue-the-poetry-episode/feed/0Tonight we take on a huge subject: how we should read poetry. The discussion centers on Natalie Diaz’s collection “When My Brother Was an Aztec” and Camille Dungy’s “Smith Blue.” What do we make of these wonders? What do we think about eviscerated dogs, smashed fruit, and meth? And what do teenagers have to do […]Tonight we take on a huge subject: how we should read poetry. The discussion centers on Natalie Diaz’s collection “When My Brother Was an Aztec” and Camille Dungy’s “Smith Blue.” What do we make of these wonders? What do we think about eviscerated dogs, smashed fruit, and meth? And what do teenagers have to do with it all? Plus, we revisit the bookshelf revisit and talk Lincoln, oral histories, and the literary reviewer’s conundrum.
]]>Tonight we take on a huge subject: how we should read poetry. The discussion centers on Natalie Diaz’s collection “When My Brother Was an Aztec” and Camille Dungy’s “Smith Blue.” What do we make of these wonders?Literary Discoyes52:47Episode 23: Pulpheadhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/02/19/episode-23-pulphead/
Tue, 19 Feb 2013 05:02:58 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=403https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/02/19/episode-23-pulphead/#respondhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/02/19/episode-23-pulphead/feed/0What do Michael Jackson, Christian Rock, and nearly-electrocuted high schoolers have in common? They’ve been written about by John Jeremiah Sullivan, and argued about by Tod, Rider, and Julia in today’s latest episode. Join us as we rhapsodize over some excellent essays. Also join us as we pull random books off our shelves (thanks to […]What do Michael Jackson, Christian Rock, and nearly-electrocuted high schoolers have in common? They’ve been written about by John Jeremiah Sullivan, and argued about by Tod, Rider, and Julia in today’s latest episode. Join us as we rhapsodize over some excellent essays. Also join us as we pull random books off our shelves (thanks to your help) and chat about them at random. Discussed: Julia tells you about Mark Twain’s OTHER pen names, Tod makes a very mysterious phone call, and Rider adores a classic.
]]>What do Michael Jackson, Christian Rock, and nearly-electrocuted high schoolers have in common? They’ve been written about by John Jeremiah Sullivan, and argued about by Tod, Rider, and Julia in today’s latest episode.Literary Discoyes56:48Episode 22: The Hardy Boyshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/02/05/episode-22-the-hardy-boys/
Tue, 05 Feb 2013 00:36:37 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=393https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/02/05/episode-22-the-hardy-boys/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/02/05/episode-22-the-hardy-boys/feed/1On today’s episode, we head to Bayport to take on the brothers Hardy, those teen sleuths you thought you knew… We discuss Books One and Two of The Hardy Boys: The Tower Treasure, and The House on the Cliff. This episode offers an interesting counterpoint to our look at the first Sweet Valley High Book […]On today’s episode, we head to Bayport to take on the brothers Hardy, those teen sleuths you thought you knew…

But first, we abandon our usual Bookshelf Revisit in favor of Bookshelf Roulette. Based on random number suggestions from our Twitter followers, we each find a book on our shelf to discuss. What strange volume will we land on? And perhaps more importantly, will Tod can stay on topic? (Hint: barely.)

Find out what adventures await us as we confront hobos, starvation, bad book signings, reckless jalopies, cookie-obsessed chums and the true villainy of red-heads.

]]>On today’s episode, we head to Bayport to take on the brothers Hardy, those teen sleuths you thought you knew… We discuss Books One and Two of The Hardy Boys: The Tower Treasure, and The House on the Cliff.Literary Discoyes48:05Episode 21: We The Animals (with guest Elizabeth Crane)https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/01/21/episode-21-we-the-animals-with-guest-elizabeth-crane/
Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:10:39 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=389https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/01/21/episode-21-we-the-animals-with-guest-elizabeth-crane/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/01/21/episode-21-we-the-animals-with-guest-elizabeth-crane/feed/1We’ve tackled tigers and rubber ducks on the show before, but have we ever turned our eyes to the animal spirits of three young brothers? Justin Torees’ novel is brought to our attention by the witty and wonderful Elizabeth Crane, who joins us on the show for a quick disco dance. Plus: cosmically bad reviews, […]We’ve tackled tigers and rubber ducks on the show before, but have we ever turned our eyes to the animal spirits of three young brothers? Justin Torees’ novel is brought to our attention by the witty and wonderful Elizabeth Crane, who joins us on the show for a quick disco dance. Plus: cosmically bad reviews, having the willpower to creatively open a cupcake, and what the hell Patty Hearst was fighting for.
]]>We’ve tackled tigers and rubber ducks on the show before, but have we ever turned our eyes to the animal spirits of three young brothers? Justin Torees’ novel is brought to our attention by the witty and wonderful Elizabeth Crane,Literary Discoyes57:36Episode 20: The Best of 2012https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/01/07/episode-20-the-best-of-2012/
Mon, 07 Jan 2013 22:07:47 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=385https://www.literarydisco.com/2013/01/07/episode-20-the-best-of-2012/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2013/01/07/episode-20-the-best-of-2012/feed/3Well, OUR best of 2012. Join us as Tod, Julia, and Rider go through the Top 5 books they read this year. Which of the books from previous episodes did they select? Did Pillars of the Earth make the grade? How about Sweet Valley High? Classics, new favorites, graphic novels, children’s books, and even audiobooks […]Well, OUR best of 2012.

Join us as Tod, Julia, and Rider go through the Top 5 books they read this year. Which of the books from previous episodes did they select? Did Pillars of the Earth make the grade? How about Sweet Valley High?

Classics, new favorites, graphic novels, children’s books, and even audiobooks all make an appearance in this in-depth New Year’s discussion.

And then Tod decides it’s time for a lightning round “Best Of” in all sorts of other categories, including, but not limited to, Best Cheese of 2012.

And yes, dear listeners, Julia sings again.

]]>Well, OUR best of 2012. Join us as Tod, Julia, and Rider go through the Top 5 books they read this year. Which of the books from previous episodes did they select? Did Pillars of the Earth make the grade? How about Sweet Valley High? Classics,Literary Discoyes52:31Episode 19: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evilhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/12/27/episode-19-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil/
Thu, 27 Dec 2012 02:36:27 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=382https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/12/27/episode-19-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/12/27/episode-19-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil/feed/3Ho ho ho! For the holiday season, the Literary Disco team reads a book Julia got for Christmas several years ago but hadn’t yet read. “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” brings us back to discussion nonfiction and the importance of setting. Also discussed: Goodreads, a bookshelf revisit, and the special Twitter challenge!Ho ho ho! For the holiday season, the Literary Disco team reads a book Julia got for Christmas several years ago but hadn’t yet read. “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” brings us back to discussion nonfiction and the importance of setting. Also discussed: Goodreads, a bookshelf revisit, and the special Twitter challenge!
]]>Ho ho ho! For the holiday season, the Literary Disco team reads a book Julia got for Christmas several years ago but hadn’t yet read. “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” brings us back to discussion nonfiction and the importance of setting.Literary Discoyes42:03Episode 18: The Paris Review’s “Object Lessons”https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/12/04/episode-18-the-paris-reviews-object-lessons/
Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:24:59 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=378https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/12/04/episode-18-the-paris-reviews-object-lessons/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/12/04/episode-18-the-paris-reviews-object-lessons/feed/4The short story: what is it for? Who does it best? What’s a “Paris Review” short story, vs. just a regular short story? Listen to us duke it out and draw your own conclusions– or, better yet, get the book and read along.The short story: what is it for? Who does it best? What’s a “Paris Review” short story, vs. just a regular short story?

Listen to us duke it out and draw your own conclusions– or, better yet, get the book and read along.

]]>The short story: what is it for? Who does it best? What’s a “Paris Review” short story, vs. just a regular short story? Listen to us duke it out and draw your own conclusions– or, better yet, get the book and read along.Literary Discoyes49:53Bonus Episode! Life of Pi: The Moviehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/11/28/bonus-episode-life-of-pi-the-movie/
Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:00:41 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=370https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/11/28/bonus-episode-life-of-pi-the-movie/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/11/28/bonus-episode-life-of-pi-the-movie/feed/1You knew we’d have an opinion. Tod, Rider, and Julia discuss whether or not the film adaptation of “Life of Pi” lives up to the book– and whether or not you should see it. And it might not be the same answer. THERE ARE A HUNDRED THOUSAND SPOILERS IN HERE. Consider yourself warned.You knew we’d have an opinion.

Tod, Rider, and Julia discuss whether or not the film adaptation of “Life of Pi” lives up to the book– and whether or not you should see it. And it might not be the same answer.

THERE ARE A HUNDRED THOUSAND SPOILERS IN HERE. Consider yourself warned.

]]>You knew we’d have an opinion. Tod, Rider, and Julia discuss whether or not the film adaptation of “Life of Pi” lives up to the book– and whether or not you should see it. And it might not be the same answer.Literary Discoyes16:36Episode 17: Life of Pi by Yann Martelhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/11/20/episode-17-life-of-pi-by-yann-martel/
Tue, 20 Nov 2012 04:58:11 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=365https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/11/20/episode-17-life-of-pi-by-yann-martel/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/11/20/episode-17-life-of-pi-by-yann-martel/feed/5You, a lifeboat, a tiger. Would you make it? Would Tod? Would Julia? Would Rider? (We have our bets.) Join our hosts as they discuss this bestselling novel and their hopes for the upcoming movie. Watch out for spoilers (though we’ll warn you).You, a lifeboat, a tiger. Would you make it? Would Tod? Would Julia? Would Rider? (We have our bets.) Join our hosts as they discuss this bestselling novel and their hopes for the upcoming movie. Watch out for spoilers (though we’ll warn you).
]]>You, a lifeboat, a tiger. Would you make it? Would Tod? Would Julia? Would Rider? (We have our bets.) Join our hosts as they discuss this bestselling novel and their hopes for the upcoming movie. Watch out for spoilers (though we’ll warn you).Literary Discoyes50:27Episode 16: Pillars of the Earthhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/11/05/episode-16-pillars-of-the-earth/
Mon, 05 Nov 2012 23:26:37 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=360https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/11/05/episode-16-pillars-of-the-earth/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/11/05/episode-16-pillars-of-the-earth/feed/7Long ago, in a land far away, three friends decided to take on an inconceivable project. One would read a book. One would listen to the audiobook of that book. One would watch a miniseries of the audiobook of that book. And lo, how did they feel about this book– which happens to be very […]Long ago, in a land far away, three friends decided to take on an inconceivable project. One would read a book. One would listen to the audiobook of that book. One would watch a miniseries of the audiobook of that book. And lo, how did they feel about this book– which happens to be very popular– and this audiobook, and this miniseries? Did they build a great cathedral of praise, or raise a church of complaint? (Please note: The Pillars of the Earth contains many violent descriptions of sexual assault, which we discuss.)
]]>Long ago, in a land far away, three friends decided to take on an inconceivable project. One would read a book. One would listen to the audiobook of that book. One would watch a miniseries of the audiobook of that book. And lo,Literary Discoyes51:13Episode 15: The Libertinehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/10/23/episode-15-the-libertine/
Tue, 23 Oct 2012 03:12:37 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=351https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/10/23/episode-15-the-libertine/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/10/23/episode-15-the-libertine/feed/3In this episode, we discuss autographs, first editions, mermaids, and more. Then, we read the Libertine by Stephen Jeffreys– a play! Do we make it through? Do we discuss the nature of excess, or does Tod complain the whole time? Only one way to find out…In this episode, we discuss autographs, first editions, mermaids, and more. Then, we read the Libertine by Stephen Jeffreys– a play! Do we make it through? Do we discuss the nature of excess, or does Tod complain the whole time? Only one way to find out…
]]>In this episode, we discuss autographs, first editions, mermaids, and more. Then, we read the Libertine by Stephen Jeffreys– a play! Do we make it through? Do we discuss the nature of excess, or does Tod complain the whole time? Only one way to find out…Literary Discoyes29:55Episode 14: Mixtapehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/10/02/episode-14-mixtape/
Tue, 02 Oct 2012 01:36:38 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=347https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/10/02/episode-14-mixtape/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/10/02/episode-14-mixtape/feed/1Playlist, schmaylist. We’re calling this a mixtape: one poem, one short story, and one essay get dissected in this episode. Mary Karr’s “Suicide’s Note,” Eric Puchner’s “The Cooler Me,” and Joe Meno’s “Happiness Will Be Yours.” And of course, a knock-down drag-out argument over comic strips, more discussion of what makes a great audiobook, and […]Playlist, schmaylist. We’re calling this a mixtape: one poem, one short story, and one essay get dissected in this episode. Mary Karr’s “Suicide’s Note,” Eric Puchner’s “The Cooler Me,” and Joe Meno’s “Happiness Will Be Yours.”

And of course, a knock-down drag-out argument over comic strips, more discussion of what makes a great audiobook, and frauds. Check it!

]]>Playlist, schmaylist. We’re calling this a mixtape: one poem, one short story, and one essay get dissected in this episode. Mary Karr’s “Suicide’s Note,” Eric Puchner’s “The Cooler Me,” and Joe Meno’s “Happiness Will Be Yours.” And of course,Literary Discoyes49:08Episode 13: Moby Duckhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/09/17/episode-13-moby-duck/
Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:58:57 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=342https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/09/17/episode-13-moby-duck/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/09/17/episode-13-moby-duck/feed/1Rubber Ducky, you’re the one– you make bathtime lots of fun– until you disintegrate into the ocean and kill the very nature you purport to stand for. Tod, Rider, and Julia discuss Moby Duck by Donovan Hohn. The crew also debates reading while feverish, video games as literary experiences, and aging audio book voice actors. […]Rubber Ducky, you’re the one– you make bathtime lots of fun– until you disintegrate into the ocean and kill the very nature you purport to stand for. Tod, Rider, and Julia discuss Moby Duck by Donovan Hohn.

The crew also debates reading while feverish, video games as literary experiences, and aging audio book voice actors. Finally, Julia introduces Tod and Rider to the incredible prose of George Eliot– or is it Julia herself?– in a brand-new installment of Klassics Korner with Two K’s.

]]>Rubber Ducky, you’re the one– you make bathtime lots of fun– until you disintegrate into the ocean and kill the very nature you purport to stand for. Tod, Rider, and Julia discuss Moby Duck by Donovan Hohn.Literary Discoyes50:27Episode 12: Story Songs!https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/09/04/episode-12-story-songs/
Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:14:30 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=338https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/09/04/episode-12-story-songs/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/09/04/episode-12-story-songs/feed/7It’s time to get back to school and, because we’re grown-ups now, we assigned ourselves some easy homework. Tod attempts to convince Julia & Rider that “Story Songs” are a legitimate literary genre, only to offer up sappy songs about serendipitous taxis. Julia and Rider try somewhat harder, but not much. The only thing that […]It’s time to get back to school and, because we’re grown-ups now, we assigned ourselves some easy homework. Tod attempts to convince Julia & Rider that “Story Songs” are a legitimate literary genre, only to offer up sappy songs about serendipitous taxis. Julia and Rider try somewhat harder, but not much. The only thing that saves them from this silly episode is a bookshelf revisit in which they each read something great.
]]>It’s time to get back to school and, because we’re grown-ups now, we assigned ourselves some easy homework. Tod attempts to convince Julia & Rider that “Story Songs” are a legitimate literary genre, only to offer up sappy songs about serendipitous taxi...Literary Discoyes54:37Episode 11: Winnie the Pooh & The House on Pooh Cornerhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/08/20/episode-11-winnie-the-pooh-the-house-on-pooh-corner/
Mon, 20 Aug 2012 21:23:37 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=335https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/08/20/episode-11-winnie-the-pooh-the-house-on-pooh-corner/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/08/20/episode-11-winnie-the-pooh-the-house-on-pooh-corner/feed/1Deep in the hundred acre woods, three writers argue over the particular pathetic nature of Eeyore. Join us this week as we welcome friend and Barnes & Noble “Discover New Writers” pick Stephen Dau, whose novel “The Book of Jonas” turns out to not be about Jonas brothers at all. We read his book and […]Deep in the hundred acre woods, three writers argue over the particular pathetic nature of Eeyore. Join us this week as we welcome friend and Barnes & Noble “Discover New Writers” pick Stephen Dau, whose novel “The Book of Jonas” turns out to not be about Jonas brothers at all. We read his book and also the Winnie-the-Pooh books, which Steve reads to his daughter every afternoon. Also, Tod points us to an article about music then and now, Rider gets comical, and Julia waxes on about olde timey NYC and the pretentious things Rider used to read there.
]]>Deep in the hundred acre woods, three writers argue over the particular pathetic nature of Eeyore. Join us this week as we welcome friend and Barnes & Noble “Discover New Writers” pick Stephen Dau, whose novel “The Book of Jonas” turns out to not be ab...Literary Discoyes53:50Episode 10: When You Reach Mehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/08/07/episode-10-when-you-reach-me/
Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:19:11 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=319https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/08/07/episode-10-when-you-reach-me/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/08/07/episode-10-when-you-reach-me/feed/1This week we are joined by Youth Services Librarian, Erika Jelinek. Erika’s here to address Rider’s concerns (expressed oh-so-mildly in Episode 5) about the quality of today’s Young Adult Literature. In defense, she offers Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me. A coming-of-age novel with a time travel twist. The disco-teers discuss this fantastic book and […]This week we are joined by Youth Services Librarian, Erika Jelinek. Erika’s here to address Rider’s concerns (expressed oh-so-mildly in Episode 5) about the quality of today’s Young Adult Literature.

In defense, she offers Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me. A coming-of-age novel with a time travel twist. The disco-teers discuss this fantastic book and the state of children’s literature in general.

But first, our Book Club Revisit includes Tod talking Olympics (and, surprise surprise, avoiding books all together), Julia drinking whiskey, and Rider heading to the Russian snow for summer reading.

And yes, The Cutting Edge is mentioned yet again.

]]>This week we are joined by Youth Services Librarian, Erika Jelinek. Erika’s here to address Rider’s concerns (expressed oh-so-mildly in Episode 5) about the quality of today’s Young Adult Literature. In defense,Literary Discoyes50:23Episode 9: Tiny Beautiful Thingshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/07/23/episode-9-tiny-beautiful-things/
Mon, 23 Jul 2012 23:30:36 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=314https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/07/23/episode-9-tiny-beautiful-things/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/07/23/episode-9-tiny-beautiful-things/feed/3So you think you don’t cry. Well, we challenge you to listen to our discussion of the Beat Generation, how the media reports school shootings, how accurately we remember our cousins, and, of course, Cheryl Strayed’s “Tiny Beautiful Things” and then read the books we’ve discussed. Who knows what will happen? Your heart might grow […]So you think you don’t cry. Well, we challenge you to listen to our discussion of the Beat Generation, how the media reports school shootings, how accurately we remember our cousins, and, of course, Cheryl Strayed’s “Tiny Beautiful Things” and then read the books we’ve discussed. Who knows what will happen? Your heart might grow two sizes.
]]>So you think you don’t cry. Well, we challenge you to listen to our discussion of the Beat Generation, how the media reports school shootings, how accurately we remember our cousins, and, of course, Cheryl Strayed’s “Tiny Beautiful Things” and then rea...Literary Discoyes46:07Episode 8: Train Dreamshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/07/10/episode-8-train-dreams/
Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:00:42 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=310https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/07/10/episode-8-train-dreams/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/07/10/episode-8-train-dreams/feed/9Episode 8: We begin with a Bookshelf Revisit, in which Tod discovers a pulp gem, Julia goes Sherlock crazy, and Rider is hyperbolic as usual. Then we discuss the novella Train Dreams by Denis Johnson. We end with Judging a Book By Its Cover, wherein Tod is a genius and yet still doesn’t know where […]Episode 8: We begin with a Bookshelf Revisit, in which Tod discovers a pulp gem, Julia goes Sherlock crazy, and Rider is hyperbolic as usual. Then we discuss the novella Train Dreams by Denis Johnson. We end with Judging a Book By Its Cover, wherein Tod is a genius and yet still doesn’t know where (or what) Thailand is.
]]>Episode 8: We begin with a Bookshelf Revisit, in which Tod discovers a pulp gem, Julia goes Sherlock crazy, and Rider is hyperbolic as usual. Then we discuss the novella Train Dreams by Denis Johnson. We end with Judging a Book By Its Cover,Literary Discoyes1:01:35Episode 7: A Separate Peacehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/06/19/episode-7-a-separate-peace/
Tue, 19 Jun 2012 02:27:28 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=302https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/06/19/episode-7-a-separate-peace/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/06/19/episode-7-a-separate-peace/feed/3Somehow, Rider has never read this classic. We correct that. We also discuss the various terrors of boarding school, books from our shelves, and which parts of Crime and Punishment Tod completely made up.Somehow, Rider has never read this classic. We correct that. We also discuss the various terrors of boarding school, books from our shelves, and which parts of Crime and Punishment Tod completely made up.
]]>Somehow, Rider has never read this classic. We correct that. We also discuss the various terrors of boarding school, books from our shelves, and which parts of Crime and Punishment Tod completely made up.Literary Discoyes54:53Episode 6: Treasure Island!!! and Poet Voicehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/06/04/episode-6-treasure-island-and-poet-voice/
Mon, 04 Jun 2012 22:13:40 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=292https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/06/04/episode-6-treasure-island-and-poet-voice/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/06/04/episode-6-treasure-island-and-poet-voice/feed/5Hello all, Hey, it’s new episode day! This week we welcome Mark Haskell-Smith, author of the hilarious Heart of Dankness, who shares Sarah Levine’s brilliant picaresque novel Treasure Island. We loved it. We also share some really good stuff from our bookshelves about being a starving, boxing circus freak who lives under a bridge. (Or […]Hello all,

Hey, it’s new episode day! This week we welcome Mark Haskell-Smith, author of the hilarious Heart of Dankness, who shares Sarah Levine’s brilliant picaresque novel Treasure Island. We loved it. We also share some really good stuff from our bookshelves about being a starving, boxing circus freak who lives under a bridge. (Or at least, if we combined all of our recommendations into one book, that’s what it would be about. Someone write this!) And finally, Tod once again tries to stump Rider and Julia on what’s a real poem and what’s just Tod reading stuff in a ridiculous poet-y voice.

]]>Hello all, Hey, it’s new episode day! This week we welcome Mark Haskell-Smith, author of the hilarious Heart of Dankness, who shares Sarah Levine’s brilliant picaresque novel Treasure Island. We loved it. We also share some really good stuff from our b...Literary Discoyes54:53Episode 5: Above the Factoryhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/05/22/episode-5-above-the-factory-2/
Tue, 22 May 2012 00:03:28 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=289https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/05/22/episode-5-above-the-factory-2/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/05/22/episode-5-above-the-factory-2/feed/18Evening, readers! Here we have Episode 5: Above the Factory. Read, listen, mull it over, throw your listening device across the room in frustration… whatever floats your boat. We also introduce a new bookish game: Judging a Book by Its Cover. We read first sentences from famous (or semi-famous) works, and then make educated guesses […]Evening, readers!

We also introduce a new bookish game: Judging a Book by Its Cover. We read first sentences from famous (or semi-famous) works, and then make educated guesses about the contents of the novels. Are you ready to play?

]]>Evening, readers! Here we have Episode 5: Above the Factory. Read, listen, mull it over, throw your listening device across the room in frustration… whatever floats your boat. We also introduce a new bookish game: Judging a Book by Its Cover.Literary Discoyes52:53Episode 4: The Chairs are Where the People Gohttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/05/08/episode-4/
Tue, 08 May 2012 22:57:55 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=271https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/05/08/episode-4/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/05/08/episode-4/feed/2Hi, everyone! Here’s Episode 4. Sorry for the delay. We were having technical difficulties, so here’s a tried-and-true MP3 for your listening pleasure. — Friends, family, loved ones of all sorts: if you were to organize a room for a lecture, where might you put the chairs? If you were to teach people how to […]Hi, everyone! Here’s Episode 4. Sorry for the delay. We were having technical difficulties, so here’s a tried-and-true MP3 for your listening pleasure.
—

Friends, family, loved ones of all sorts: if you were to organize a room for a lecture, where might you put the chairs? If you were to teach people how to play charades, what would you tell them? Are messenger bags relevant to this discussion at all? Kathryn Borel discusses “The Chairs Are Where the People Go,” with Tod, Rider, and Julia, who do not agree on its quality. Ready for a showdown?

]]>Hi, everyone! Here’s Episode 4. Sorry for the delay. We were having technical difficulties, so here’s a tried-and-true MP3 for your listening pleasure. — Friends, family, loved ones of all sorts: if you were to organize a room for a lecture,Literary Discoyes43:00Episode 3: Sweet Valley High & Klassics Kornerhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/04/24/episode-3-sweet-valley-high-klassics-korner/
Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:36:26 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=250https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/04/24/episode-3-sweet-valley-high-klassics-korner/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/04/24/episode-3-sweet-valley-high-klassics-korner/feed/18Today, we get silly. We discuss the various merits and demerits of Sweet Valley High. We revisit the classics, but upon Julia’s insistence, we give it the stupid name “Classics Corner– with two K’s!” See, that makes it friendly and approachable… right? Let us know what you think in the comments, and please enjoy!Today, we get silly. We discuss the various merits and demerits of Sweet Valley High. We revisit the classics, but upon Julia’s insistence, we give it the stupid name “Classics Corner– with two K’s!” See, that makes it friendly and approachable… right?

Let us know what you think in the comments, and please enjoy!

]]>Today, we get silly. We discuss the various merits and demerits of Sweet Valley High. We revisit the classics, but upon Julia’s insistence, we give it the stupid name “Classics Corner– with two K’s!” See, that makes it friendly and approachable… right?...Literary Discoyes34:51Episode 2: Half a Life & Poet Voicehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/04/10/episode-2-half-a-life-poet-voice/
Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:05:57 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=228https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/04/10/episode-2-half-a-life-poet-voice/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/04/10/episode-2-half-a-life-poet-voice/feed/8In our second podcast, we go back to our bookshelves again (or maybe put on our ipods, or maybe even just look at the back of the book). Then we take a deep dive into Darin Strauss’ memoir, Half a Life, which leads to a hot debate about the current challenges of nonfiction. Finally, Tod […]In our second podcast, we go back to our bookshelves again (or maybe put on our ipods, or maybe even just look at the back of the book).

Then we take a deep dive into Darin Strauss’ memoir, Half a Life, which leads to a hot debate about the current challenges of nonfiction.

Finally, Tod tries to stump Julia and Rider by reading things from the internet in the voice of a substandard poet.

If you haven’t finished the book yet, don’t fret– you can revisit the episode any time. And there are no major spoilers– Half a Life is a meditative book so it’s more about style than plot, anyway.

Feel free to leave your reaction to the book in our comments, or tweet us @LiteraryDisco.

Happy listening,
Literary Disco

]]>In our second podcast, we go back to our bookshelves again (or maybe put on our ipods, or maybe even just look at the back of the book). Then we take a deep dive into Darin Strauss’ memoir, Half a Life, which leads to a hot debate about the current cha...Literary Discoyes50:16Episode 1: Bookshelf Revisit & Bright’s Passagehttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/03/26/episode-1-bookshelf-revist-brights-passage/
Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:39:05 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=209https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/03/26/episode-1-bookshelf-revist-brights-passage/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/03/26/episode-1-bookshelf-revist-brights-passage/feed/3The long-awaited first episode of Literary Disco has arrived! We begin by revisiting our bookshelves and recommending some of our favorites (or, in Rider’s case, weird books from the teen years) to each other. Then we get to the meat and potatoes of the episode: Bright’s Passage. We react, we question, we banter, we express […]The long-awaited first episode of Literary Disco has arrived!

We begin by revisiting our bookshelves and recommending some of our favorites (or, in Rider’s case, weird books from the teen years) to each other.

Then we get to the meat and potatoes of the episode: Bright’s Passage. We react, we question, we banter, we express enthusiasm for talking horses.

If you haven’t finished the book yet, don’t fret– you can revisit the episode any time. And there are no major spoilers. We mostly speak about style and character in this episode, not plot.

Feel free to leave your reaction to the book in our comments, or tweet us @LiteraryDisco.

Happy listening,

Literary Disco

]]>The long-awaited first episode of Literary Disco has arrived! We begin by revisiting our bookshelves and recommending some of our favorites (or, in Rider’s case, weird books from the teen years) to each other.Literary Discoyes36:45Episode 0: Introductionhttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/03/11/episode-0-4/
Sun, 11 Mar 2012 03:19:28 +0000http://www.literarydisco.com/?p=185https://www.literarydisco.com/2012/03/11/episode-0-4/#commentshttps://www.literarydisco.com/2012/03/11/episode-0-4/feed/7Subscribe and listen! This is our introductory podcast, in which Rider, Tod, and Julia discuss the books they loved, standing up to librarians, and meaningful professors.Subscribe and listen! This is our introductory podcast, in which Rider, Tod, and Julia discuss the books they loved, standing up to librarians, and meaningful professors.
]]>Subscribe and listen! This is our introductory podcast, in which Rider, Tod, and Julia discuss the books they loved, standing up to librarians, and meaningful professors.Literary Discoyes22:15